2006/07 - St. Patrick's College - DCU
2006/07 - St. Patrick's College - DCU
2006/07 - St. Patrick's College - DCU
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COLÁISTE PHÁDRAIG<br />
ANNUAL REPORT<br />
<strong>2006</strong> - 20<strong>07</strong><br />
ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
Contents<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
8<br />
10<br />
12<br />
13<br />
14<br />
15<br />
16<br />
18<br />
24<br />
28<br />
30<br />
31<br />
33<br />
34<br />
36<br />
37<br />
Contents / Clár<br />
Foreword by Chairperson / Brollach le Cathaoirleach an Bhoird Rialaithe<br />
Introduction by President / Réamhrá ón Uachtarán<br />
Governing Body / An Bord Rialaithe<br />
<strong>St</strong>rategic Planning and Development / Pleanáil agus <strong>St</strong>raitéiseach Forbairt<br />
The University / An Ollscoil<br />
The Digital Age / An Ré Dhigiteach<br />
Educational Research Centre / An Foras Taighde ar Oideachas<br />
Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education /<br />
An Lárionad um Fhorbairt agus Oideachas na Luath-Óige<br />
Educational Disadvantage Centre / An tIonad um Oideachas faoi<br />
Mhíbhuntáiste<br />
Seamus Heaney Lecture Series / Sraith Léachtaí Seamus Heaney<br />
Academic Council / An Chomhairle Acadúil<br />
Administrative/<strong>St</strong>udent Support Services /<br />
Seirbhísí Riaracháin/Taca do Mhic Léinn<br />
• Chaplaincy<br />
• Admissions<br />
• Access<br />
• Disability<br />
• Counselling<br />
• Careers<br />
• Adult and Continuing Education<br />
• Oifigeach Gaeilge<br />
• IT Services<br />
• AV Services<br />
• Freedom of Information<br />
• Senior Tutor<br />
• Library<br />
Highlights of the Year / Príomhimeachtaí na Bliana<br />
<strong>St</strong>udent Life / Saol na Mac Léinn<br />
International Links / Naisc Idirnáisiúnta<br />
<strong>St</strong>aff Publications / Foilseacháin na Foirne<br />
Financial Report / Tuarascáil Airgeadais<br />
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong> in the Past / Coláiste Phádraig in Anallód<br />
Awards/Scholarships/Honours / Gradam/Scoláireachtaí/Onóracha<br />
Appendices / Aguisíní<br />
• Enrolment<br />
• Examination <strong>St</strong>atistics<br />
• Graduation<br />
• Analysis of <strong>2006</strong> Graduates<br />
• <strong>St</strong>affing<br />
• Speech by An Taoiseach at launch of <strong>College</strong> History<br />
1
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
Foreword<br />
Foreword by Chairperson of Governing Body /<br />
Brollach le Cathaoirleach an Bhoird Rialaithe<br />
Professor John Coolahan<br />
Chairperson<br />
I am pleased to present the Annual Report of <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong> for <strong>2006</strong>/<strong>07</strong>. It provides an informative<br />
overview of the diverse range of activities and endeavours in the <strong>College</strong> during the period in question. I<br />
congratulate all those involved in producing the report and those who contributed in any way to the work<br />
of the <strong>College</strong> in the past year.<br />
In July 20<strong>07</strong>, a new Governing Body took office for a five-year term. As a former student of the <strong>College</strong>, I<br />
was honoured to be invited to chair that Body. I look forward to working with my fellow Governors and<br />
with the President and staff to enhance the status of the <strong>College</strong> and to ensure that it continues to serve<br />
the educational needs of Irish society in a responsible and effective manner.<br />
In looking forward to the important work that lies ahead, I would like to thank Dr Michael Herity and the<br />
members of the outgoing Governing Body for their service to the <strong>College</strong> and for their wise and efficient<br />
governance.<br />
Professor John Coolahan<br />
Chairperson<br />
Tá an-áthas orm Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Choláiste Phádraig le haghaidh na bliana <strong>2006</strong>/<strong>07</strong> a chur os bhur<br />
gcomhair. Tugtar cuntas eolach inti ar an réimse leathan gníomhaíochtaí agus imeachtaí a bhí ar siúl sa<br />
Choláiste i rith na tréimhse sin. Déanaim comhghairdeas leo siúd uilig a raibh baint acu le tiomsú na<br />
tuarascála agus leo siúd a chuir ar shlí ar bith le saothar an Choláiste le bliain anuas.<br />
Ceapadh Bord Rialaithe nua i mí Iúil 20<strong>07</strong> go ceann tréimhse cúig bliana eile. Mar iar-mhac léinn de<br />
chuid an Choláiste, ba mhór an onóir dom é gur iarradh orm feidhmiú mar Chathaoirleach ar an mBord<br />
sin. Tá mé ag súil le bheith ag comhoibriú le mo chomh-Ghobharnóirí agus leis an Uachtarán agus a<br />
fhoireann chun cur le stádas an Choláiste agus lena chinntiú go leanfaidh sé de bheith ag freastal go<br />
héifeachtach ar riachtanais oideachasúla phobal na hÉireann.<br />
Agus mé ag breathnú romham ar an obair mhór atá le cur i gcrích, ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil<br />
leis an Dr Michael Herity agus le baill an iar-Bhoird Rialaithe as a gcuid seirbhíse ar son an Choláiste<br />
agus as an rialachas críonna cúramach a chuir siad ar fáil i rith an ama.<br />
An tOllamh John Coolahan<br />
Cathaoirleach<br />
2
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
Introduction by President / Réamhrá ón Uachtarán<br />
international affairs. It would be invidious to single out any<br />
particular initiatives, but the successful launch of an on-line MEd<br />
and the partnership with ICEP harnessing the potential of the<br />
latest educational technology to meet the professional<br />
development needs of mainstream teachers in the area of SEN,<br />
reflects significant recent progress in this area. It manifests the<br />
intention of the <strong>College</strong> to deploy the academic values and<br />
strengths of a long-established and widely respected institution<br />
with the tools of the digital age to advance our educational<br />
mission.<br />
I wish you good reading.<br />
Pauric Travers<br />
President<br />
Pauric Travers<br />
President<br />
Introduction<br />
In November <strong>2006</strong>, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern<br />
launched a history of <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong> from its<br />
foundations in 1875. Reading that history, it is<br />
striking how many of the key issues recur – issues<br />
about the duration and content of teacher<br />
education programmes, the proper relationship<br />
with schools, the balance of personal and<br />
professional development, and the implications of<br />
changes in the wider society we serve. As may be<br />
evident from the pages below, these issues<br />
continue to dominate the agenda. It is a truism<br />
that we live in a rapidly changing society,<br />
radically different from even a few decades ago,<br />
but the fundamental challenges facing a <strong>College</strong><br />
such as this, and the nature of the educational<br />
enterprise are more familiar than novel.<br />
In striving to produce graduates who are skilled,<br />
flexible, highly competent, well rounded, creative<br />
and prepared to meet the challenges of the<br />
knowledge society, we build on the best traditions<br />
of the <strong>College</strong>. Above all, we seek to educate the<br />
whole person and to develop her or his character,<br />
sensibility and disposition.<br />
The annual report which I have the honour of<br />
introducing reflects the diversity and depth of<br />
activity of <strong>College</strong> students and staff across a<br />
range of curricular and extra-curricular areas. It<br />
embraces continuing high quality activities in<br />
initial teacher education and continuing<br />
professional development, teaching and learning<br />
and research, the arts and humanities, teaching<br />
practice, mentoring and induction, SEN and early<br />
childhood education, digital and on-line learning,<br />
access and diversity, undergraduate and<br />
postgraduate programmes up to and including<br />
doctoral level, quality assurance, performance<br />
management, community engagement and<br />
I mí na Samhna <strong>2006</strong>, sheol an Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, stair<br />
Choláiste Phádraig óna thús sa bhliain 1875. Agus an stair sin á<br />
léamh agam is iontach an ní é a rialta a thagann na ceisteanna is<br />
tábhachtaí chun cinn arís agus arís eile – ceisteanna faoi fhad<br />
agus ábhar na gcúrsaí oiliúna oidí, an caidreamh cuí le<br />
scoileanna, an chothroime idir forbairt phearsanta agus<br />
ghairmiúil, agus impleachtaí na n-athruithe móra sochaí. Tá na<br />
ceisteanna sin fós chun tosaigh mar is féidir a fheiceáil sa<br />
tuarascáil seo. Is fíor a rá go mairimid i sochaí a dtagann<br />
mearathrú uirthi i gcónaí, sochaí atá tar éis athrú go mór le<br />
roinnt blianta anuas, ach is aithnidiúil seachas úrnua na dúshláin<br />
agus nádúr an fhiontair oideachais atá ar aghaidh coláiste mar<br />
seo.<br />
Agus muid ag tabhairt faoi chéimithe a scaoileadh uainn atá<br />
inniúil, solúbtha, ardchumasach, dea-oilte, cruthaitheach agus<br />
réidh le dul i ngleic le dúshláin na sochaí eolais, tógaimid ar<br />
dhea-thraidisiúin an Choláiste. Thar aon ní eile, féachaimid le<br />
hoideachas a chur ar an duine ina iomláine agus an carachtar,<br />
an mhothálacht agus an aigne a fhorbairt.<br />
Is féidir éagsúlacht agus doimhneacht na ngníomhaíochtaí foirne<br />
agus mac léinn i réimse imeachtaí curaclaim agus seachchuraclaim<br />
a fheiceáil sa tuarascáil seo, a bhfuil sé de phribhléid<br />
agam í a chur in bhur láthair. Cuimsítear inti gníomhaíochtaí<br />
ardchaighdeáin in oideachas tosaigh oidí agus i bhforbairt<br />
ghairmiúil leanúnach; teagasc, foghlaim agus taighe; na<br />
healaíona agus an léann daonna; cleachtadh múinteoireachta;<br />
meantóireacht agus ionduchtú; ROS agus oideachas luathóige;<br />
foghlaim dhigiteach/ar líne; rochtain agus ilíocht; cláir léinn<br />
fochéime agus iarchéime go leibhéal na dochtúireachta; dearbhú<br />
feabhais; bainistiú feidhmíochta; comhpháirtíocht pobail agus<br />
gnóthaí idirnaisiúnta. Ní hionmholta díriú ar thionscnaimh ar<br />
leith ach is fiú dhá rud a lua a léiríonn an dul chun cinn atá á<br />
dhéanamh sa Choláiste: seoladh cúrsa rathúil MOid. ar líne agus<br />
comhpháirtíocht nua leis an IOPS a tharraingíonn ar an<br />
teicneolaíocht oideachasúil is nua chun tacú le riachtanais<br />
forbartha gairmiúla gnáthmhúinteoirí i réimse na ROS. Léiríonn<br />
sé rún an Choláiste fhadbhunaithe seo a chuid luachanna<br />
acadúla agus láidreachtaí institiúide a nascadh le huirlisí na<br />
haoise digití chun a mhisean oideachais a chur chun cinn.<br />
Go mbaine sibh sult as a bhfuil anseo síos.<br />
Pauric Travers<br />
Uachtarán<br />
3
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
Governing Body / An Bord Rialaithe<br />
The governance of the <strong>College</strong> is entrusted to a Governing<br />
Body appointed by the Patron/Manager, the Archbishop of<br />
Dublin, which is representative of the main stakeholders and<br />
the education, arts and business community. Minutes of 11<br />
meetings of the <strong>College</strong> Management Committee came before<br />
Governing Body for noting. Governing Body also ratifies new<br />
appointments. New appointments for the <strong>2006</strong>/<strong>07</strong><br />
academic year are listed in the appendices.<br />
In July 20<strong>07</strong>, a new Governing Body was appointed, with a<br />
five year term of office. It is chaired by Professor John<br />
Coolahan, a distinguished educationalist, Emeritus Professor<br />
of Education at NUIM and alumnus of <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>.<br />
Total membership has increased to twenty-six (listed below);<br />
including two additional non-academic staff members and the<br />
Head of Education, ex-officio. At its inaugural meeting in July,<br />
plans were made for an Induction Programme for the new<br />
Governing Body.<br />
The outgoing Governing Body met four times during the<br />
academic year in question, while the new Governing Body<br />
had one meeting before the end of the academic year.<br />
The main issues addressed were:<br />
• Career <strong>St</strong>ructures for Academic staff. Arising from the<br />
recommendation of the Labour Court, the Higher<br />
Education Authority sanctioned the filling of Principal<br />
Lecturer and Senior Lecturer positions. The process of<br />
filling of these positions was completed during the<br />
<strong>2006</strong>/<strong>07</strong> academic year, commencing with the filling of<br />
the Principal Lecturers positions, followed by the Senior<br />
Lecturer positions which were advertised in December<br />
<strong>2006</strong>.<br />
• The University Linkage – reported on below.<br />
• Professorships – the extension of professorships by the<br />
University to appropriate <strong>College</strong> staff<br />
• The <strong>College</strong> Building Development programme – reported<br />
on below under “Physical Development”<br />
• Review of the composition and terms of reference of<br />
Governing Body - resulted in the establishment of a<br />
working group, which drew up a document on the<br />
“Functions and Responsibilities of Governing Body”. The<br />
document was agreed at the final meeting of the outgoing<br />
Governing Body for the guidance of its successor.<br />
• Quality Improvement Plans – the QIPs of the English<br />
Department and the Library were presented by Dr Daire<br />
Keogh, Co-ordinator of Quality Assurance, to Governing<br />
Body at its meeting in December <strong>2006</strong>. The QIPs of<br />
Roinn na Gaeilge and the President’s Office were<br />
presented to the new Governing Body in July 20<strong>07</strong>.<br />
• Naming of the <strong>College</strong> Auditorium – Governing Body<br />
considered a proposal, presented by Dr Patrick Burke, to<br />
formally name the <strong>College</strong> Auditorium<br />
• <strong>College</strong> Scholarships – a proposal from Academic Council<br />
to establish funded scholarships was agreed<br />
• Irish Aid/HEA <strong>St</strong>rategic Collaboration<br />
• Participation in Foras Feasa – collaborative proposal with<br />
NUIM, <strong>DCU</strong> and DKIT and related memorandum of<br />
understanding<br />
• An amendment to the Disciplinary Regulations regarding<br />
plagiarism was approved<br />
• Revised Grant Allocation Model – this new funding model<br />
was extended to the <strong>College</strong> by the HEA in 20<strong>07</strong>. Funding<br />
is related to student numbers with weightings assigned to<br />
programmes.<br />
Matters which come regularly before Governing Body include<br />
inter alia the President’s Report and a Human Resources/<br />
personnel Report, which are presented to each meeting; the<br />
draft budget and enrolment/examination statistics are<br />
presented annually, with financial reports being provided<br />
periodically.<br />
The Audit Committee met regularly throughout the year, and<br />
considered various matters related to the audit function of the<br />
<strong>College</strong>. A work programme was drawn up for the year and<br />
approved. The Audit Committee met with a representative of<br />
the Comptroller & Auditor General’s (C&AG) office. The<br />
committee was also involved in the process of selecting an<br />
internal auditor for the <strong>College</strong>. Following the tender process,<br />
Pricewaterhouse Coopers were selected as the <strong>College</strong><br />
Internal Auditors. The Audit Committee is coterminus with<br />
Governing Body, and held its final meeting in April 20<strong>07</strong>. An<br />
annual report was presented by the outgoing Audit Committee<br />
to Governing Body at its April meeting. A new Audit<br />
Committee will be nominated by Governing Body in the<br />
Autumn.<br />
The membership of the 20<strong>07</strong>-2012 Governing Body is:<br />
Prof John Coolahan (Chairperson)<br />
Rev Desmond Beirne<br />
Ms Olivia Bree<br />
Ms Anne McDonagh<br />
Dr Elizabeth Cotter<br />
Dr Mark Morgan<br />
Mr Seán Cromien<br />
Rev Brian Moore<br />
Ms Evelyn Cuddy<br />
Mr Tommy Murtagh<br />
Mr Roddy Day<br />
Dr Anita Prunty<br />
Rev Aquinas Duffy<br />
Ms Joanne Toal<br />
Mr Alan Flanagan<br />
Dr Raymond Topley<br />
Ms Marian Hackett<br />
Dr Pauric Travers<br />
Dr Tom Kellaghan<br />
Prof Ferdinand von Prondzynski<br />
Mr Garrett Kelleher<br />
Ms Fionnuala Waldron<br />
Mr Feichín McDonagh SC Mr Martin Ward<br />
Dr Ciarán Mac Murchaidh Mr Paul Whelan<br />
Management Committee<br />
Management Committee advises and assists the President in<br />
the conduct of the day to day management of the <strong>College</strong> and<br />
in the development and implementation of policy.<br />
The Committee met eleven times during the year. This year,<br />
the membership expanded with the appointment of two<br />
Deans – one in Education and one in Humanities.<br />
The current members are:<br />
Dr Pauric Travers, President;<br />
Mr Martin Ward, Secretary/Bursar;<br />
Ms Olivia Bree, Registrar;<br />
Dr Mary Shine Thompson, Dean of Research/Humanities;<br />
Dr Jean Ware, Dean of Education;<br />
Dr Brenna Clarke, Head of English;<br />
Dr Mark Morgan, Head of Education.<br />
The University nominee is Mr Martin Conry, Secretary, <strong>DCU</strong>.<br />
4
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
<strong>St</strong>rategic Planning and Development /<br />
Pleanáil <strong>St</strong>raitéiseach agus Forbairt<br />
<strong>St</strong>rategic<br />
Monitoring of progress on the <strong>St</strong>rategic Plan for the <strong>College</strong> -<br />
Ar Aghaidh <strong>2006</strong>-2010 – continued during the year. A<br />
progress report on the action plan was drawn up and<br />
presented to Governing Body at the end of year one of the<br />
plan.<br />
Career <strong>St</strong>ructures<br />
Of significant strategic importance to <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong> was<br />
the introduction of an enhanced career structure for academic<br />
staff, with the implementation of the LRC recommendation to<br />
fill additional principal lecturer and senior lecturer positions.<br />
In the course of this academic year, these positions were<br />
advertised internally. All but one of the principal lecturer<br />
positions were filled early in the academic year; followed by<br />
the filling of six senior lecturer positions in Education, five in<br />
Humanities, and six <strong>College</strong>-wide senior lectureships, at the<br />
end of the academic year. The <strong>College</strong> is currently in<br />
discussions with <strong>DCU</strong> regarding the introduction of <strong>College</strong><br />
Professorships.<br />
<strong>College</strong>s of Education. The programme involved visits to<br />
schools and <strong>College</strong>s of Education in Lusaka, the Copper Belt<br />
and Livingstone in the Southern Province, as well as to an<br />
Aids project in Ndola. The party was welcomed to Zambia by<br />
Irish Ambassador, Bill Nolan, a distinguished alumnus of <strong>St</strong><br />
<strong>Patrick's</strong> <strong>College</strong>. The preparation for the visit was undertaken<br />
on behalf of Irish Aid by Cathal Higgins, former member of<br />
staff in <strong>St</strong> <strong>Patrick's</strong> <strong>College</strong> and of the World Bank.<br />
At the conclusion of the visit, a joint project was announced<br />
by Minister Hanafin and her Zambian opposite number,<br />
which will involve the Irish <strong>College</strong>s of Education supporting<br />
their counterparts in Zambia. This will focus on professional<br />
development support for <strong>College</strong> staff in priority areas within<br />
the Zambian national development plan and the sectoral plan<br />
including literacy, numeracy, ICT and multi-grade. A<br />
follow-up technical visit is planned to finalise a detailed<br />
project proposal.<br />
HEA/Irish Aid <strong>St</strong>rategic Collaboration<br />
Arising from the Higher Education Authority and Irish Aid<br />
initiative to promote collaboration between Irish 3rd level<br />
institutions and those in developing countries, expressions of<br />
interest and initial concept statements were invited. Dr<br />
Padraig Carmody visited Zambia to have discussions with<br />
colleagues in the University of Zambia. A proposal in relation<br />
to special education needs (SEN) which was identified as an<br />
area of great need in Zambia, was developed. The <strong>College</strong><br />
submission was successful in Phase I, but was ultimately<br />
unsuccessful. However, the <strong>College</strong> is one of a number of<br />
partners in a successful proposal led by Mary Immaculate<br />
<strong>College</strong> Limerick, to establish a development education<br />
centre.<br />
Zambia<br />
The Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin TD,<br />
visited Zambia from 5-10 February. The delegation<br />
accompanying the Minister included Bridget McManus,<br />
Secretary-General of the DES; Sean MacMahon and Máire<br />
Matthews of Irish Aid, Seán Flynn, Irish Times; and Dr Pauric<br />
Travers, President of <strong>St</strong> <strong>Patrick's</strong> <strong>College</strong>, representing the Irish<br />
Minister Hanafin on visit to Zambia<br />
Foras Feasa<br />
For some time there has been informal cooperation between<br />
staff in the <strong>College</strong> and in NUI Maynooth in relation to a<br />
variety of activities including the Irish in Europe project, led<br />
by Dr Marian Lyons and Dr Thomas O’Connor. This<br />
experience provided the basis for the development of An<br />
Foras Feasa, a new collaborative initiative led by NUIM and<br />
involving <strong>DCU</strong>, DKIT and <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>. An Foras Feasa<br />
will support individual and collaborative projects in the area<br />
5
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
of Humanities and Technology, and represents a unique<br />
combination of traditional knowledge and dynamic<br />
innovation. A detailed project proposal was prepared for<br />
Cycle 4 of the PRTLI, a related MOU was signed by NUIM in<br />
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>. The formal announcement of the<br />
outcome was made in August 20<strong>07</strong>.<br />
Collaboration with ICEP/DES<br />
In response to the challenges facing teachers and schools in<br />
dealing with an increasingly diverse pupil population and in<br />
implementing inclusive educational policy, the Special<br />
Education Department of <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra,<br />
(SPCD) in collaboration with Institute of Child Education and<br />
Psychology, Europe (ICEP) has developed a new Certificate/<br />
Diploma in Education (Special/Inclusive Education).<br />
This programme aims to develop teachers’ knowledge, skills<br />
and competencies thus enhancing the provision of<br />
appropriate education for children and young people with<br />
special educational needs in mainstream settings. The<br />
programme is part-funded by the Teacher Education Section of<br />
the Department of Education and Science under the<br />
National Development Plan 2008-2013.<br />
The programme is delivered in a modular format using a<br />
blend of online and distance learning technologies and<br />
pedagogies. The duration is flexible to suit the needs of<br />
individual teachers. The Certificate consists of four taught<br />
modules and must be completed within 3 years from first<br />
registration. The Diploma requires an additional module,<br />
unassessed, on research methods and a dissertation of<br />
7,500/8,000 words, on an agreed topic, which must be<br />
completed within 4 years from first registration.<br />
There were 75 teachers, primary and post-primary, enrolled<br />
for the initial roll out of this programme. It is anticipated that<br />
the intake will increase in the coming years.<br />
Physical Development<br />
The process of selecting a Design Team for the new building,<br />
which commenced with the call to tender in early Summer<br />
<strong>2006</strong>, continued in the Autumn. The applicants to tender<br />
were shortlisted under specific criteria, and invited into the<br />
<strong>College</strong> to make a presentation to Senior Management and<br />
representatives from the Building Unit of the Department of<br />
Education and Science.<br />
Arising from this process, the following Design Team<br />
was selected:<br />
Architectural: RMJM Scotland<br />
Quantity Surveyors: Bruce Shaw partnership<br />
Mechanical & Electrical Engineering: Delap & Waller<br />
Civil & <strong>St</strong>ructural Engineering: Michael Punch and Partners<br />
Project Management: Bruce Shaw partnership<br />
As the formal appointment of the Design Team was being<br />
finalised, the <strong>College</strong> was requested to prepare a detailed Cost<br />
Benefit Analysis, as the project budget would exceed €30m.<br />
Indecon Consultants were engaged to conduct this analysis<br />
on behalf of the <strong>College</strong>. Following presentation of a<br />
satisfactory CBA, agreement to appoint the design team was<br />
received. The design team held their first formal meeting in<br />
June, and work on the project design is now proceeding.<br />
In advance of commencing the major building development,<br />
funding was received from the Higher Education Authority to<br />
repair/upgrade creaking infrastructure in the main buildings<br />
including heating pipes and radiators which will be replaced<br />
on a phased basis and electrical works and datalines in C<br />
Block. Prior to the Summer, a section of the ceiling in D<br />
block collapsed and repair work was carried out over the<br />
Summer involving replacement of the roof, water tanks and<br />
ceiling.<br />
Railway Procurement Agency<br />
The <strong>College</strong> continued discussions with the Railway<br />
Procurement Agency regarding the proposed route of the<br />
Metro line. The alternative routes being considered by the<br />
RPA for the Drumcondra/Griffith Avenue section of the new<br />
Metro include four routes which have a direct impact on the<br />
<strong>College</strong> campus. The <strong>College</strong> engaged a consultant to<br />
prepare a detailed submission to the Agency on its behalf and<br />
this was forwarded to the RPA. No decision was made on the<br />
final route by the end of the academic year.<br />
Quality Promotion<br />
The Quality Assurance office has as its mandate the task of<br />
maximising the quality of the learning experience and<br />
environment at <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>. Towards that end, the<br />
office facilitated a number of initiatives including the annual<br />
round of seed-funding awards, which seeks to reward and<br />
encourage creativity and initiative from members of staff.<br />
6
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
In 20<strong>07</strong> the following awards were made:<br />
Recipient<br />
Project Title<br />
Sorcha de Brún Establishment of an Irish<br />
Language Newsletter<br />
was put into operation for the first time. A new course on Arts,<br />
Learning and Community was also initiated in collaboration<br />
with the Primary Curriculum Support Programme (PCSP) for<br />
trainers and cuiditheoirí. This was led by Regina Murphy and<br />
Mary Howard and again attracted PCSP personnel from across<br />
the regions as well as from the Dublin area.<br />
Regina Murphy<br />
Andrew O'Shea<br />
Raymond Topley<br />
Inservice Periodical<br />
Evaluation of the Expanded<br />
Induction Programme<br />
MREd Graduate Consultation<br />
Workshop<br />
Building on relationships with local schools, three<br />
seminars were organised to meet the needs of primary<br />
teachers in particular:<br />
• Minority ethnic language children in Irish primary<br />
schools: A practical vision for a better future,<br />
presented by Karl Kitching and Rory McDaid.<br />
The unit increased its representation in national and<br />
international Quality Assurance networks and benefited<br />
greatly from the support of Dr Padraig Walsh and the Irish<br />
University Quality Board (IUQB), and Professor Muredach<br />
Dynan, former Vice-President for Quality Assurance in the<br />
Catholic University of Australia.<br />
Three areas underwent a formal peer review, the Mathematics<br />
Department, Audio-visual Department, and Information<br />
Technology Services. Following earlier reviews, the<br />
President’s Office and Roinn na Gaeilge submitted ambitious<br />
Quality Improvement Plans, which have been approved by<br />
the Governing Body.<br />
In June 20<strong>07</strong>, the <strong>College</strong> sanctioned the appointment of a<br />
director of Quality Assurance at Senior Lecturer level, as an<br />
indication of its commitment to the process. Dr Dáire Keogh<br />
of the History Department was appointed for a term of five<br />
years. He is assisted by Sharon King, Quality Assurance<br />
Administrator.<br />
In-career Education<br />
Reflecting the developments in national curricula at primary<br />
level and the needs of the system, a new accredited course in<br />
the area of Assessment for Learning (AfL) was offered to<br />
primary teachers in August <strong>2006</strong>. The course was lead by Dr<br />
Michael O’Leary and attracted teachers from across the<br />
Leinster region. Participants continued their study throughout<br />
the autumn and spring, and their work culminated at<br />
Certificate level with school-based research projects that<br />
illustrated a mastery of AfL principles.<br />
Other accredited inservice courses offered during the year<br />
included Primary Science and Visual Arts. There was a strong<br />
demand for places in the visual arts course and a waiting list<br />
• <strong>St</strong>ress relief for teachers: The coping triangle,<br />
presented by Dr Claire Hayes .<br />
• Literature circles: Engaging children’s emotions,<br />
imaginations, experiences and cognitive abilities,<br />
presented by Eithne Kennedy and Bernadette<br />
Dwyer.<br />
The seminars drew teachers from a wide range of settings<br />
including some colleagues from the post-primary sector.<br />
The first meeting of the new branch of the International<br />
Professional Development Association (IPDA) was held in the<br />
<strong>College</strong> on 2 April. IPDA, founded in the UK in 1958, is a<br />
voluntary organisation concerned with the provision, delivery<br />
and research of high quality Continuing Professional<br />
Development. The main aim of IPDA Ireland is to bring<br />
cohesion and find commonalities in CPD practice and<br />
development across a range of institutions and providers in<br />
various sectors, both North and the South. Regina Murphy<br />
from <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong> and Maureen Killeavy from<br />
University <strong>College</strong> Dublin were elected as co-chairs. The<br />
committee includes representatives from a range of<br />
institutions North and South.<br />
Partnership<br />
Progress continued on Partnership issues during the year. The<br />
<strong>College</strong> submitted the relevant progress reports required<br />
under Sustaining Progress during the year. Sanction for the<br />
payment of related awards was received following agreement<br />
of satisfactory reporting by the Performance Verification<br />
Group.<br />
7
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
Shane Guckian, winner of the O’Donoghue History medal, with Matthew <strong>St</strong>out, James Kelly and Pauric Travers<br />
The University / An Ollscoil<br />
Discussions on the revised linkage continued during the year. By the end of the academic year, the new linkage had been agreed<br />
by the Governing Authority of the University and plans were underway for a formal linkage signing ceremony.<br />
The Presidents of the University and the <strong>College</strong> also discussed the matter of Professorships for <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>. Professorships<br />
are seen as an essential part of the <strong>College</strong>’s status within the University sector. Their absence is a source of significant concern<br />
because of the impact on the attraction and retention of outstanding staff. The introduction of professorships has been agreed by<br />
the <strong>College</strong> and the Univeristy. It is intended that they will be introduced as part of the new linkage agreement.<br />
The <strong>College</strong> continued to participate actively in CASTEL, an innovative initiative across the University, to promote Science and<br />
Mathematics education. A number of joint conferences have been organised and further activities are planned.<br />
Graduation <strong>2006</strong><br />
The University Graduation Ceremonies for <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong> took place on 10 and 11 November in the <strong>College</strong> Auditorium.<br />
There were four ceremonies held over two days. The University President, Professor von Prondzynski, conferred a total of 834<br />
graduands from 14 different programmes with their degrees, certificates or diplomas. PhDs were conferred on two candidates. In<br />
his graduation address, the President of the <strong>College</strong>, Dr Travers, spoke about the challenges faced by schools in recent times in<br />
embracing a multi-cultural society. He cited an example of one school in North County Dublin which admitted its first<br />
international pupil less than a decade ago. In the intervening period the school has quadrupled in size and more than 40% of the<br />
children are New Irish. Many arrive in our schools without any English. Cherishing all the children and promoting an inclusive<br />
society will remain empty slogans if these challenges are not faced. He spoke about initiatives of the NCCA who issued guidelines<br />
on inter-cultural education in Primary Schools and the Development and Intercultural (DICE) project in the <strong>College</strong>s of Education.<br />
The <strong>College</strong>s must also look at the issue of inclusion in the area of ethnic diversity. The absence of role-models in schools has a<br />
significant impact on student achievement. Failure to address this, Dr Travers predicted, will contribute to disaffection and<br />
alienation in schools, which inevitably translate into disaffection and alienation in the wider society.<br />
At this year’s graduation, a posthumous award was accepted by the family of <strong>St</strong>even O’Donoghue, who passed away after<br />
completing his final year examinations. <strong>St</strong>even had completed the BA in English and Human Development as a mature student.<br />
He also completed an Erasmus placement in Bulgaria as part of his studies. His degree was accepted by his two children. Marie<br />
Elders, who started the BA programme with <strong>St</strong>even in 2003, passed away at the end of her first year of study. Her husband Bob<br />
Elders attended the Graduation to meet with Marie’s class. A moment’s silence was observed in memory of <strong>St</strong>even and Marie.<br />
The awards presented at Graduation are listed in the Awards/Honours section of this report.<br />
8
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
Des Slowey, PhD graduate with Dr Pat Burke<br />
Graduates of the In-Service Certificate and Diploma<br />
Ciaran and Niamh O’Donoghue, who accepted a<br />
posthumous award on behalf of their father, <strong>St</strong>even,<br />
who passed away at the end of Summer <strong>2006</strong><br />
9
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
Digital Age / An Ré Dhigiteach<br />
TeachNet<br />
The TeachNet Ireland project, with Dr Deirdre Butler as<br />
Director, provides professional development and support to<br />
teachers in Irish primary and post primary schools to enable<br />
them publish online curriculum resources to the wider<br />
teaching public. To date the project has published 391 online<br />
curriculum units and these are available free of charge<br />
through the website (www.teachnet.ie ). In conjunction with<br />
Teachers Network, New York, TeachNet has developed a<br />
global database of TeachNet curriculum units fostering a<br />
global online and offline professional network of teachers<br />
effectively using technology to enhance student learning.<br />
The main project sponsors are the Citigroup Foundation with<br />
further sponsorship from the Ireland Funds, Microsoft and the<br />
National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE). Over the<br />
past six years of operation, TeachNet Ireland has established<br />
itself as the main resource for teacher published curriculum<br />
online in Ireland and has played a key role in impacting<br />
student learning and achievement through the use of<br />
technology as a classroom tool. The TeachNet website now<br />
gets 83,000 unique visitors on average per month (2.3m hits<br />
per month) making it consistently one of the most used Irish<br />
educational websites. A monthly e-newsletter is also<br />
distributed electronically to over 1,400 teachers across<br />
Ireland.<br />
TeachNet Ireland’s annual awards ceremony took place in the<br />
Institute of Bankers on 2nd November <strong>2006</strong>. Tom Kitt TD,<br />
Minister of <strong>St</strong>ate at the Department of the Taoiseach and<br />
Government Chief Whip, awarded grants to 45 primary and<br />
post primary teachers to assist them in delivering their<br />
subjects online. Speaking at the event, Aidan Brady, CEO of<br />
Citigroup, said “Citigroup Ireland is proud to be associated<br />
with such an exciting and worthwhile program as TeachNet. It<br />
is important that while we continue to support TeachNet, we<br />
are updating the program to meet the demands of our<br />
knowledge society. I am confident that this project will<br />
ultimately meet the aims of the Citigroup Foundation to allow<br />
children to acquire the knowledge and skills to find a<br />
rewarding career, manage their lives, and fully participate in<br />
society.”<br />
In keeping with the <strong>College</strong>’s mission statement of extending<br />
10
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
its links with schools, TeachNet co-organised a day-long<br />
seminar entitled "The Internet Experience in Schools". Dr<br />
Deirdre Butler presented a keynote entitled “Learning for the<br />
21st Century”. The event was hosted at Tipperary Institute on 7<br />
June and targeted teachers in the midlands region.<br />
started with just 4 schools initially and has grown to include<br />
over 50 schools in Dublin, Kildare, Sligo, Laois, Tipperary,<br />
Kilkenny and Roscommon. In the Empowering Minds project<br />
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra, partners with the National<br />
Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE), Diageo Liberties<br />
Learning Initiative in the Digital Hub, the Dublin Inner-city<br />
Schools Computerisation project (DISC), and teachers and<br />
pupils of participating schools.<br />
Eolas (Enhancing Online Learning and Support)<br />
Online teaching and learning activity continued apace during<br />
06/<strong>07</strong>. The Enhancing Online Learning and Support initiative<br />
(eolas) progressed on three fronts. Firstly, there was upgrading<br />
and consolidation of chosen learning technology<br />
applications. This entailed the rollout of new versions of the<br />
Moodle virtual learning environment and of Wimba, the live<br />
classroom environment. Secondly, a number of new<br />
programmes began during the year. Most significantly these<br />
included a welcome for the first online MEd cohort.<br />
Developments in online provision continued across the<br />
<strong>College</strong> courses at all levels. Approval was received from the<br />
DES for a joint programme in Special Education with the<br />
Institute of Child Psychology Europe (ICEP). Finally, having<br />
consolidated progess made over previous years there was a<br />
focus on planning for the future. <strong>St</strong>aff development needs and<br />
student management systems were identified as key areas for<br />
attention. Eolas continues to enjoy widespread support across<br />
the <strong>College</strong> community.<br />
Ronan Ward<br />
Ronan Ward, a primary school teacher at S.N. Muire na<br />
nGael, Dundalk, and a member of the TeachNet network,<br />
won an Innovative Teacher Award at the EMEA Innovative<br />
Teachers Forum 20<strong>07</strong> in Paris, France. Sponsored by<br />
Microsoft in collaboration with UNESCO, this event brought<br />
together more than 150 forward-thinking educators<br />
representing 40 countries across Europe, the Middle East and<br />
Africa. His winning project, in the Community Learning<br />
category was entitled ‘Who Lives Here?’ Utilising a range of<br />
digital technologies the project encouraged pupils to<br />
investigate the diversity of multiculturalism by exploring<br />
backgrounds of people who differ in colour, religion, culture<br />
and nationality living in modern day Ireland. Engaging in this<br />
project challenged pupils to examine their feelings and beliefs<br />
towards other ethnic groups.<br />
Empowering Minds<br />
Over 300 of Ireland’s future designers, engineers and<br />
programmers came to the <strong>College</strong> for the Seventh annual<br />
Robo-Show on 16 May. This event is the highlight of the<br />
Empowering Minds community enabling children (aged 7 –<br />
13 years) and their teachers share the innovative projects they<br />
have been constructing over the course of the school year. The<br />
children engage in multi-disciplinary cross-curricular learning<br />
and make extensive use of a range of digital technologies to<br />
build these exciting and imaginative projects. This dynamic<br />
community which was initiated in 1998 by Dr Deirdre Butler,<br />
11
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
Educational Research Centre /<br />
An Foras Taighde ar Oideachas<br />
A major event of the year was the publication of the results of<br />
a large-scale international study of the achievements in<br />
reading, mathematics, and science of 15-year-old students<br />
(Reading for Tomorrow’s World? The Competencies of<br />
Ireland’s 15-year-olds in PISA <strong>2006</strong>). The Irish component of<br />
the study, which was the responsibility of the Educational<br />
Research Centre, involved over four and a half thousand<br />
pupils responding to tests and questionnaires in 165 schools.<br />
pupils in ordinary schools) and for the identification of<br />
children who are at risk of reading difficulties at an early stage<br />
in their schooling.<br />
In an evaluation of some aspects of Giving Children an Even<br />
Break (GCEB), the use of resources and positive<br />
discrimination with regard to class size are among the topics<br />
being investigated.<br />
The results of the study were similar to those of earlier studies.<br />
Irish students consistently perform well in reading. In <strong>2006</strong>,<br />
they were placed fifth of 56 participating countries, and<br />
second among European countries. Performance in science,<br />
however, was only slightly above the average for OECD<br />
countries, and was just average in mathematics.<br />
The performance in mathematics of Irish students was<br />
explored further in the publication PISA Mathematics: A<br />
Teacher’s Guide. Detailed analyses of Irish students’<br />
performance (in a 2003 study) were carried out, on the basis<br />
of which recommendations to teachers were made for<br />
improving student achievement. In particular, the need to<br />
develop higher-order competencies and to provide students<br />
with opportunities to engage with real-world problems was<br />
identified.<br />
Aspects of science education were also explored in a<br />
publication entitled Implementing the Revised Junior<br />
Certificate Science Syllabus. What Teachers Said. The report<br />
concluded that the revised syllabus seemed to have achieved<br />
some, but not all, of its aims. While there was a shift to a<br />
more practical method of teaching, the change was hampered<br />
by implementation difficulties. Closer liaison between<br />
primary-school science and Junior Certificate science was<br />
recommended.<br />
Work commenced in 20<strong>07</strong> on an evaluation of the School<br />
Support Programme component of Delivering Equality of<br />
Opportunity in School (DEIS) at primary and post-primary<br />
levels. The evaluation is designed to monitor the<br />
implementation of the programme and assess its impact on<br />
students, families, schools, and communities. The evaluation<br />
has a number of elements, including the monitoring of change<br />
in achievement and other pupil outcomes over the period<br />
<strong>2006</strong>/7 to 2009/10. Other planned activities include surveys<br />
of schools to assess their progress in relation to targets<br />
specified in their DEIS action plans, and the extent to which<br />
specific elements of the scheme have been implemented. The<br />
evaluation will also focus on particular groups in participating<br />
schools. For example, a study of pupils showing early signs of<br />
reading difficulties is scheduled to begin in October 20<strong>07</strong>.<br />
Preparatory work for a survey of the learning environment and<br />
working conditions of teachers in post-primary schools<br />
(Teaching and Learning International Survey) was carried out<br />
during the year. The main survey is scheduled for February/<br />
March 2008 in 200 schools.<br />
A study carried out for the National Educational Welfare<br />
Board identified varieties of school non-attendance (in<br />
primary and post-primary schools), their socioeconomic<br />
correlates, and their impact on schools and students.<br />
The revision of standardized achievement tests for use in<br />
primary schools to reflect changes in the curriculum<br />
continued during the year. Following publication of the<br />
Drumcondra Primary Mathematics Test – Revised in <strong>2006</strong>, the<br />
Drumcondra Primary Reading Test – Revised was<br />
administered to representative samples of primary school<br />
pupils. Norms for subtest and total reading scores were<br />
established, and the revised test was published and made<br />
available to schools in 20<strong>07</strong>.<br />
Other work in progress at the Centre includes statistical<br />
methodology applied to education, in particular multilevel<br />
models; issues arising from Early <strong>St</strong>art; and the preparation of<br />
workbooks to develop skills in national assessment.<br />
Publications/Reports by Centre <strong>St</strong>aff<br />
The major publications and reports of ERC staff during this<br />
period are included below under <strong>St</strong>aff Publications.<br />
Tests are also being developed for Irish language (one for<br />
pupils in Gaeltacht and Irish-medium schools, and one for<br />
12
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education /<br />
An Lárionad um Fhorbairt agus Oideachas na Luath-Óige<br />
A key objective of the CECDE was to develop a quality<br />
framework for early childhood education. This was delivered<br />
on in May <strong>2006</strong> when the Centre published Síolta, the<br />
National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education.<br />
This Framework is the result of three years of consultation and<br />
research and is intended to provide support and guidance for<br />
all those working with, and on behalf of, children.<br />
The materials were the result of a strategic partnership<br />
between CECDE and FÁS, the National Training Agency. They<br />
are intended to guide the ECCE practitioner through Síolta,<br />
demonstrating how to embed new knowledge in the everyday<br />
practical activities and management of settings. The ultimate<br />
goal of the Workshop Materials is to promote practical<br />
implementation of Síolta in all ECCE settings and to assist the<br />
development of professional practice by connecting theory to<br />
practice in a meaningful, accessible way.<br />
At the Síolta Workshop Seminar, the participating CCCs were<br />
invited to conduct a Síolta Workshop in the period following<br />
the Seminar, Summer 20<strong>07</strong>. The CCCs then have an<br />
opportunity to use and evaluate both the Síolta Workshop<br />
Materials and the Síolta Workshop Model. Feedback was<br />
extremely positive and further Workshop Seminars are<br />
planned to offer this opportunity to more stakeholders in the<br />
ECCE sector.<br />
CECDE assisted the Department of Education and Science in<br />
the design of and preparation for the early childhood<br />
education strand of the DEIS (Delivering Equality of<br />
Opportunity in Schools) programme, a major initiative to<br />
combat educational disadvantage among school children. A<br />
substantial proposal was submitted for an early education<br />
strategy as part of the DEIS Initiative in May <strong>2006</strong>. Following a<br />
comprehensive survey of Band 1 Urban DEIS schools with an<br />
intake of Junior Infants, a further report was submitted in<br />
October <strong>2006</strong>. Finally, in December <strong>2006</strong> CECDE submitted a<br />
discussion document on the possible parameters for selection<br />
of schools to be involved in the initial examination and early<br />
provision of services under the Early Education strand of DEIS.<br />
Another main objective of CECDE is "to develop targeted<br />
interventions on a pilot basis for children who are<br />
educationally disadvantaged and children with special<br />
needs". Five separate pieces of research were commissioned<br />
in 2003, and in <strong>2006</strong> their findings were published as the<br />
CECDE Research Series <strong>2006</strong>.<br />
Following the launch of Síolta, CECDE developed a workshop<br />
model to offer practitioners a ‘hands-on’ experience of<br />
reflecting on their own practice, with their peers in the<br />
context of the provisions of the Framework. Following a<br />
period of almost six months in which workshops on a number<br />
of different <strong>St</strong>andards were conducted, CECDE reviewed the<br />
process. Demand for the workshops had far exceeded<br />
expectations and there was a continuous stream of requests<br />
for more workshops.<br />
Having established that demand existed and achieved the<br />
initial objective of disseminating Síolta and demonstrated its<br />
potential as a resource for practitioners, CECDE decided to<br />
move onto the next phase of dissemination and to share the<br />
model with the wider ECCE sector. In April of 20<strong>07</strong>, CECDE<br />
held a Síolta Workshop Seminar at which staff from the City<br />
and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) were inducted into<br />
the processes and materials associated with the Síolta<br />
Workshop Model.<br />
A crucial component of the roll out of the Síolta Workshop<br />
Model was the production of the Síolta Workshop Materials.<br />
The titles of these projects were as follows:<br />
• Early Years Provision for Children from Birth to Six Years<br />
with Special Needs in Two Geographical Areas in<br />
Ireland (Researchers: Special Education Department, <strong>St</strong><br />
Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra)<br />
• An In-Career Development Programme for Teachers and<br />
Management in Pre-Schools for Travellers<br />
(Barnardos/INTO)<br />
• Synergy - An Exploration of High Quality Early<br />
Intervention for Children with Special Needs in Diverse<br />
Rural Settings (The North Tipperary Early Intervention<br />
Service)<br />
• Early Assessment and Intervention in Educational<br />
Disadvantage (The Centre for Social and Educational<br />
Research, DIT)<br />
• In Search of Quality: Multiple Perspectives (CSER, DIT)<br />
Both the full versions (online only) and the published<br />
executive summaries are available for download on the<br />
CECDE website at www.cecde.ie.<br />
13
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
Educational Disadvantage Centre /<br />
An tIonad um Oideachas faoi Mhíbhuntáiste<br />
The Educational Disadvantage Centre brought a number of<br />
research projects to fruition during the year, launching<br />
commissioned reports and the book Beyond Educational<br />
Disadvantage, for use at preservice and in-service levels, as<br />
well as continuing to engage with programmes in the wider<br />
community.<br />
Commissioned by the South Inner City Community<br />
Development Association (SICCDA) and authored by Dr Paul Downes and Dr Catherine Maunsell, the report Count Us In. Tackling<br />
early school leaving in South West Inner City Dublin: An integrated response was launched by Minister for Education and Science,<br />
Mary Hanafin, during the SICCDA conference at the Guinness <strong>St</strong>orehouse on 28 June. Paul Downes was the keynote speaker at the<br />
conference. The launch of A holistic approach to early school leaving and school retention in Blanchardstown: Current issues and<br />
future steps for services and schools (authors: Paul Downes, Catherine Maunsell and Jo-Hanna Ivers), commissioned by the<br />
Blanchardstown Area Partnership took place on 6 December. Joe Kennedy, Head of the Dublin School Completion Programme,<br />
gave the keynote address.<br />
The QDOSS (Quality Development of Out of School Services) network hosted a conference on 14 December in Dublin Castle. The<br />
topic was ‘Out of School Services – their role in influencing and enabling educational outcomes for children and young people’. A<br />
report entitled 'Quality Development of Out of School Services: An agenda for development,' compiled by Dr Paul Downes, was<br />
also launched at this conference. Brian Lenihan, Minister for Children, opened the conference. The Educational Disadvantage<br />
Centre chaired the QDOSS network throughout 20<strong>07</strong>.<br />
A total of 124 children from the 3rd Year BEd Elective schools in Ballyfermot visited the <strong>College</strong> between February and May 20<strong>07</strong>.<br />
Coordinated by Valerie McLoughlin, Sport 4 Success ran three days a week for the year. Forty children from two classes in <strong>St</strong><br />
Laurence O’Toole, Sheriff <strong>St</strong>. and one class in Holy Spirit BNS, Ballymun, attended the <strong>College</strong> each week for sport, food and<br />
homework club. Twenty students volunteered to mentor the children. Eleven MEd students commenced the Special Option in<br />
Educational Disadvantage.<br />
The Centre Director, Paul Downes was an advisor to Amnesty International for their international report Estonia: Linguistic minorities<br />
in Estonia: Discrimination must end (December <strong>2006</strong>) and was a guest speaker with Professor Tom Collins at a local forum on<br />
education in Diswellstown, Dublin 15, chaired by Olivia O’Leary, on 27 March 20<strong>07</strong>.<br />
14
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
Seamus Heaney Lecture Series /<br />
Sraith Léachtaí Seamus Heaney<br />
Tom Kilroy and friends<br />
The theme of the <strong>2006</strong>/20<strong>07</strong> Seamus Heaney Lecture Series,<br />
was “The Mirror Up to Nature”: Drama and Theatre in the<br />
Modern World'. The series focussed on the world's heritage of<br />
great drama deriving from the Greeks, including the Irish<br />
contribution, as well as on the educational potential of drama<br />
and theatre. The issue of drama's survival in a globalised<br />
world was addressed.<br />
The opening lecture, ‘The Magic That Is Theatre’ on 9 October<br />
was given by the eminent director and former Artistic Director<br />
of the Abbey Theatre, Patrick Mason.<br />
On 13 November, the distinguished playwright, Thomas<br />
Kilroy, delivered a lecture entitled ‘The Irish Contribution’ to a<br />
capacity audience which included Brian Friel and Seamus<br />
Heaney (pictured above).<br />
The third lecture in the series was delivered by the renowned<br />
international scholar, Professor Ania Loomba from the<br />
University of Pensylvania, on the subject ‘The Drama of<br />
Politics, the Politics of Drama’.<br />
Professor Neelands drew attention<br />
to drama as ritual, as entertainment,<br />
as liberation and gave compelling<br />
examples of its integrative power in<br />
the context of the challenges raised<br />
by our new multi-cultural societies.<br />
On 5 March, Dr Brenna Clarke of<br />
the Engish Department in the<br />
<strong>College</strong>, spoke on ‘Drama and<br />
Film, The Dynamics of Difference:<br />
From Boucicault to Beckett - From<br />
Real to Reel’. Dr Clarke explored<br />
differences and similarities between<br />
theatre and cinema.<br />
The final lecture in the series took<br />
place on 23 April with a<br />
combination of scholarship and<br />
performance, chaired by Professor<br />
Nicholas Greene, Trinity <strong>College</strong>,<br />
Dublin. The scholarship came from<br />
Dr John Buckley of the Department<br />
of Music who spoke on Opera,<br />
Music and Theatre. He traced the<br />
evolution of opera from its<br />
beginnings in seventeenth-century<br />
Florence to the modern era and<br />
then described the artistic process<br />
involved for himself, as well as the<br />
writer, Hugh Maxton, in transferring<br />
Yeats's play, 'The Words Upon the<br />
Window Pane' into operatic form.<br />
This was followed by performance:<br />
Imelda McDonagh reading 'Swift'<br />
and 'Vanessa' from Yeats's play, and<br />
Colette McGahon (accompanied by<br />
Roy Holmes) singing the<br />
corresponding sections from John<br />
Buckley's opera.<br />
Imelda McDonagh<br />
Colette McGahon<br />
Following a short Christmas break, the series resumed with<br />
two lectures on Theatre in Education. Professor Cecily O’Neill<br />
(Ohio <strong>St</strong>ate University) spoke on the topic ‘What is drama in<br />
education – imagination in action’. Professor Jonothan<br />
Neelands of Warwick University gave a lecture entitled<br />
‘Drama as Mirror or Dynamo?. In championing more<br />
democratic, 'ensemble' models of drama and theatre,<br />
The organising committee<br />
comprised Pat Burke (Chair),<br />
Noreen Doody, Mary Howard,<br />
Marian Lyons, Paula Murphy, Anne<br />
O'Reilly, Mary Shine Thompson and<br />
Denis Twomey.<br />
Roy Holmes<br />
15
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
Academic Council /<br />
An Chomhairle Acadúil<br />
Academic Council and its <strong>St</strong>anding Committee each met on<br />
six occasions during the year.<br />
BA Mature <strong>St</strong>udents Committee / Coiste Mac Léinn<br />
Lánfhásta BA<br />
In liaison with the Admissions Officer, the committee oversaw<br />
Among the matters considered by Academic Council were:<br />
• Plagiarism<br />
• First year induction and orientation<br />
• Career structure<br />
• Scholarship programme<br />
• Human Rights Education<br />
• Presentation on the newly established Teaching Council<br />
the interviewing and selection of mature applicants for the BA<br />
programme. Members continued to be actively involved in<br />
the induction of incoming students and the <strong>College</strong> Open<br />
Day, as well as organising the annual social occasion for<br />
mature students and their partners. The committee assisted in<br />
organising a tutor system, and, in conjunction with the<br />
English department, writing workshops for students.<br />
by Áine Lawlor, Director of Teaching Council<br />
• Department of Education and Science Report: Learning<br />
to Teach: <strong>St</strong>udents on Teaching Practice in Irish Primary<br />
Schools<br />
• Inservice Certificate/Diploma in Education: proposal for<br />
a new pathway in Special/Inclusive Education<br />
• Building and Refurbishment Programme<br />
• Report on INTO conference on Teacher Education<br />
• Annual statistics on student enrolment and progression<br />
• Annual reports from subcommittees of Academic<br />
B.Ed. Mature <strong>St</strong>udent & PG Diploma Entry / Coiste d’Iontráil<br />
Mac Léinn Lánfhásta B.Oid. & Dioplóma Iarchéime<br />
The committee, in conjunction with the Admissions Officer,<br />
organised the interviewing and selection of mature applicants<br />
for the B.Ed. degree, as well as applicants for the Graduate<br />
Diploma in Education (Primary Teaching) programme. This<br />
work was conducted in collaboration with Coláiste Mhuire,<br />
Marino and Froebel <strong>College</strong> of Education, Sion Hill,<br />
Blackrock.<br />
Council<br />
• Academic calendar for 20<strong>07</strong>-08<br />
Information Technology Committee / Coiste Theicneolaíocht<br />
an Eolais<br />
Areas addressed by the committee included the <strong>St</strong>udent<br />
Academic Council Subcommittees / Fochoistí<br />
Academic Council subcommittees constituted for the period<br />
2005-08 continued with their important work. Subcommittees<br />
provide Academic Council with an Annual Report, and<br />
<strong>St</strong>anding Committee with confirmed minutes of their<br />
meetings.<br />
Laptop initiative, facilities for the growing number of students<br />
who use their own laptops on campus, and the continued<br />
expansion of the wireless network. Remote access to library<br />
services was reported to be running very successfully.<br />
Permission was obtained from a number of publishers for<br />
students to temporarily install educational software for the<br />
duration of Teaching Practice for use with pupils in schools.<br />
Access Committee / Coiste Rochtana<br />
Issues addressed by the committee, in liaison with the Access<br />
Officer, included: continued promotion and awareness-raising<br />
of the access programme; pre-entry activities and supports for<br />
prospective students; supports for the growing number of<br />
Also discussed by the committee were: the student record<br />
system, the increasing use of Moodle in teaching, plagiarism<br />
software, SPSS software, and network connectivity issues. The<br />
committee continued to organise competency courses for<br />
incoming students on the BA, BEd and Graduate Diploma<br />
registered students;<br />
Open Doors project. The first access<br />
programmes, noting a decrease in the number of students<br />
needing this support.<br />
students enrolled in the college in 2004 successfully completed<br />
their degree programmes in <strong>2006</strong>-<strong>07</strong>.<br />
16
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
Intercultural and Development Education Committee /<br />
Coiste Idirchultúrtha agus Oideachais Forbartha<br />
This committee continued its work on curriculum issues,<br />
commencing a review of existing trends within the BEd<br />
experience in relation to diversity, understood in a wide<br />
sense; two subgroups were set up, to identify specific content<br />
with a diversity focus, and to examine the possibility of<br />
including a diversity element in the teaching practice<br />
experience over the three years. <strong>St</strong>aff of the <strong>College</strong>, and the<br />
committee in particular, were greatly saddened by the<br />
untimely death of esteemed member Barbara Gill whose<br />
contribution to IDEC and development and intercultural<br />
education had been outstanding.<br />
Interdepartmental Committee / Coiste Eadar-Rannach<br />
Among the principal topics considered by this committee<br />
during the year were administrative support for departments,<br />
plagiarism, undergraduate degree classifications, first year<br />
induction and advisory sessions. Also addressed were:<br />
<strong>College</strong> structures, final year examination statistics for BA and<br />
BEd, copyright issues, examination payments for senior staff<br />
and room maintenance.<br />
research activity among staff. Many collaborative projects are<br />
also being undertaken in both the Education and Humanities<br />
areas; partners in these initiatives include cross-border and<br />
international colleges and universities, and inter college of<br />
education consortia. A partnership was also initiated with<br />
colleagues from NUIM, <strong>DCU</strong> and Dundalk IT as part of An<br />
Foras Feasa. Significant funding has been attracted through<br />
these projects. The Research committee considered a large<br />
number of requests from staff, seeking financial support for<br />
research, approving grants totalling up to €70,000. The<br />
number of registered research students was 41, with over half<br />
of these pursuing a doctoral programme. The Research Ethics<br />
subcommittee, established in 2005 and now embedded in the<br />
research culture of the <strong>College</strong>, reviewed its terms of<br />
reference and refined its guidelines for researchers and its<br />
instruments for ethical review of research projects, in addition<br />
to delivering research ethics workshops.<br />
<strong>St</strong>aff Recruitment Committee / Coiste Earcaíochta Foirne<br />
Comprehensive statistics were collated on staff engagement in<br />
various aspects of the work of the <strong>College</strong>, and presented to<br />
Academic Council.<br />
International Affairs Committee / Coiste Gnóthaí<br />
Idirnáisiúnta<br />
This committee organised a wide range of European staff and<br />
student exchanges as part of the Socrates-Erasmus<br />
programme, and oversaw American exchange programmes<br />
with the Universities of Chico (Cal.), Northern Colorado,<br />
Merrimack <strong>College</strong> (Mass.). The successful partnership with<br />
the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic<br />
Education (ACE) continued. The first group of students<br />
undertaking the BEd International successfully completed<br />
their four-year degree programme. A number of social and<br />
cultural events were organised for visiting students, as well as<br />
a very successful induction course in January 20<strong>07</strong>.<br />
Teaching and Learning Committee / Coiste Teagaisc agus<br />
Foghlama<br />
The committee welcomed Dr Jean Ware as incoming Chair, in<br />
succession to Susan Pike. The annual funding for staff<br />
professional development was allocated to successful<br />
applicants. Plans were discussed for a series of seminars on<br />
the topic of issues in Adult Learning. Other topics addressed<br />
by the committee included teaching spaces and plans for the<br />
new <strong>College</strong> buildings.<br />
Research Committee / Coiste Taighde<br />
The committee issued the eleventh annual Academic <strong>St</strong>aff<br />
Research Report / Tuairisc ar Thaighde Acadúil, covering the<br />
period January to December <strong>2006</strong>, compiled by Dr Mary<br />
Shine Thompson, Dean, using <strong>DCU</strong>’s Research Support<br />
System (Genius). This report details the large amount of<br />
17
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
Administrative/<strong>St</strong>udent Support Services /<br />
Seirbhíshí Riaracháin/Taca do Mhic Léinn<br />
Fr Eamonn Cowan and Carol Barry<br />
Voluntary Summer work in Addis Ababa<br />
Chaplaincy<br />
The past year has been busy for the chaplaincy team. Apart<br />
from the usual things associated with chaplaincy such as<br />
Opening Mass, Advent Carol Service, <strong>St</strong> Vincent De Paul<br />
Society, there have been a number of new developments.<br />
A number of students and staff were happy to join the Liturgy<br />
Group, which was established with a view to providing new<br />
ideas, suggestions and involvement in planning Liturgies in<br />
the <strong>College</strong>. The <strong>College</strong> Folk Group linked up with the<br />
Confirmation and First Communion classes in <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s<br />
National School to provide musical support in relation to the<br />
sacramental preparation programmes in the school. The<br />
children attended a number of Masses in the chapel in which<br />
the students of the <strong>College</strong> also participated.<br />
Sadly, two mature students, <strong>St</strong>even O Donoghue and Colin<br />
Byrne died suddenly in the late summer of <strong>2006</strong>. Mass for<br />
<strong>St</strong>even and Colin was offered in the <strong>College</strong> chapel on 29<br />
November to which members of their families were invited,<br />
and which provided the <strong>College</strong> community with an<br />
opportunity to mourne their passing. Michael Dillon, retired<br />
Head of the Geography Department, died in March and the<br />
<strong>College</strong> chapel was the location for his months-mind Mass in<br />
mid April.<br />
In collaboration with the Good Shepherd Sisters, the<br />
chaplaincy team promoted a Share Fair. Hand-made goods<br />
produced by women in countries such as Vietnam and the<br />
Philippines were sold. Money raised through the sale of goods<br />
goes back to those involved in their production. Apart from<br />
providing an outlet for the goods, Share Fair heightens<br />
awareness of issues around justice and equality. The <strong>College</strong><br />
community responded generously to this second Share Fair<br />
event. Some students and staff have participated in an<br />
outreach supported by the Vincentians and Daughters of<br />
Charity in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The project is built on the<br />
underpinning of a faith community, and requires the<br />
commitment to five or six weeks to working with young<br />
people who have very little material possessions. To date five<br />
or six former or present students and one member of staff<br />
have participated in the project. Essentially it involves<br />
insertion, for a short time, in an ongoing educational<br />
involvement with children and young adults in the Ethiopian<br />
capital. For participants, it entails exposure to another reality<br />
in our world and is enriching for all involved.<br />
Admissions<br />
The Admissions Office plays a critical role in the operation of<br />
the <strong>College</strong>. During the year, staff provided information on<br />
the varied programmes and courses offered by the <strong>College</strong>.<br />
The hectic schedule included the promotion and<br />
administration of undergraduate and post-graduate courses.<br />
Admissions staff attended in excess of 40 information talks<br />
and careers evenings throughout the country. <strong>St</strong>aff also<br />
18
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
represented the <strong>College</strong> at a number of CAO conference<br />
meetings. These provided a key opportunity for Guidance<br />
Counsellors to interact directly with members of Admissions<br />
Offices in other third level institutions.<br />
<strong>St</strong>aff also attended a number of Career Exhibitions, including<br />
The Higher Options Conference (RDS) and the Fás<br />
Opportunities Event (Croke Park). <strong>St</strong>aff working at the <strong>College</strong><br />
Exhibition <strong>St</strong>and availed of the opportunity to promote <strong>St</strong><br />
Patrick’s <strong>College</strong> as an appealing Third Level option.<br />
Open Day - November <strong>2006</strong><br />
The academic year <strong>2006</strong>-<strong>07</strong> saw the Admissions Office<br />
introduce a number of initiatives aimed at enhancing its<br />
services while planning and organising the <strong>College</strong> Open Day<br />
which generated very positive feedback.<br />
Access<br />
This year saw significant developments for the Access Project<br />
as for the first time the programme was open to all schools in<br />
the Dublin area. Some 200 schools were written to in January<br />
informing them of the opportunity for students to apply for the<br />
Access Programme mode of entry.<br />
The first two students to gain entry to the <strong>College</strong> through the<br />
access programme in 2003 finished their final exams and<br />
prepared themselves for Graduation. The Access Office<br />
continued to work closely with existing linked DEIS schools,<br />
seven of which were visited for information, motivational and<br />
advice sessions with 5th and 6th year pupils. The Access<br />
Officer attended Careers Fairs including Inchicore and<br />
Tallaght and also the Higher Options Fair in Croke Park.<br />
The Open Doors project continued to run pre-entry visits with<br />
a group of students from Mercy <strong>College</strong>, Coolock, who took<br />
part in a series of workshops on Third Level Education. Two<br />
current Access students participated. The Open Doors project<br />
also took on a new focus with a group of mixed ability<br />
teenagers from the New Life Centre in Darndale attending a<br />
series of evening Art workshops, hosted by a community<br />
artist. The New Life Centre run by the Vincentians is a Youth<br />
Activity Club for children resident in the area. The pupils who<br />
were involved in the project stretched across three of our<br />
targeted schools; Coláiste Dhúlaigh, Belcamp <strong>College</strong> and The<br />
Donaghies. The project was very successful, with positive<br />
responses towards staying in the education system from a<br />
majority of participants at the end of the six sessions.<br />
The Grants Information Service continued to assist and advise<br />
students on Local Authority Grants with referrals from a range<br />
of <strong>College</strong> Departments. Seven new Access students<br />
registered in October - three BEd and four BA students. All<br />
new students took part in a two–day orientation programme<br />
that introduced them to the services available to them in the<br />
<strong>College</strong> (IT skills, Library usage) and also seminars on the<br />
functions and demands of third level education. These<br />
activities are designed to facilitate transition into their<br />
respective courses and promote engagement with the <strong>College</strong><br />
community. Personal support meetings continued to be held<br />
with each student. A TP skills workshop was organised for first<br />
year BEds with second and third year BEds acting as mentors.<br />
This form of Peer Mentoring has proved to be quite effective<br />
in TP outcomes for Access students. Extra tuition was also<br />
made available to students who needed support with<br />
coursework.<br />
The Access Officer continued membership of the national<br />
Access Officers group (AMA) attending meetings in TCD,<br />
NUIM and UCC. Membership of the board of the Ballymun<br />
Initiative for Third level Education (BITE) involved attendance<br />
at meetings throughout the year. SPD Access Office was also<br />
invited to join the Millennium Fund Committee in Ballymun.<br />
Among other seminars and functions attended was the launch<br />
of the evaluation report carried out last year by the Access<br />
Office and organised by the National Office for Equity of<br />
Access and also a round-table discussion of attracting and<br />
retaining ethnic minorities to Third Level Education organised<br />
jointly by NCCRI and the NOEA. SPD was also represented<br />
by the Access Office at AHEAD’s “Inclusive Education”<br />
conference.<br />
Disability<br />
The Access Office dealt with queries from two potential<br />
students with disabilities, which involved campus visits, and,<br />
in the case of one student meetings with Academic staff from<br />
departments they wished to study under. 12 students<br />
registered with the Disability service, some merely for<br />
information and advice but a core group of five attended<br />
regular personal support meetings. Three applications were<br />
19
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
forwarded to the Special Fund for <strong>St</strong>udents with Disabilities<br />
for various types of assistance (transport costs, Personal<br />
Assistant funding) and all three were fully funded. The total<br />
amount received by these students was approximately €5000<br />
for this year.<br />
<strong>St</strong>udent Counselling<br />
A total of 85 students attended for ongoing individual<br />
counselling this year. This figure is consistent with previous<br />
years and represents 3.4% of the total student population.<br />
While students presented for counselling with a range of<br />
issues, personal issues were the most frequently cited reasons<br />
for seeking help. The more serious end of this spectrum<br />
included depression, suicidal ideation, eating issues,<br />
childhood and adult trauma. The majority of students who<br />
attended for counselling referred themselves.<br />
Individual counselling sessions totalled 560, an increase of<br />
108 on last year’s figure of 452 and is the highest figure<br />
recorded to date. The distribution of sessions throughout the<br />
year is illustrated in the graph below and was similar to<br />
previous years. November, February, March and May were the<br />
busiest months. On average, students attended for 7 sessions<br />
an increase of 1 session on last year, thus the trend as in<br />
previous years is towards short-term counselling. However,<br />
some students were afforded fewer or more sessions,<br />
depending on their need. <strong>St</strong>udents were offered an<br />
appointment for a counselling session within 1-3 days<br />
following initial contact with the counsellor. Emergency cases<br />
were seen on the day of contact. As in previous years a<br />
number of parents, graduates, members of the academic and<br />
administrative staff, and the <strong>St</strong>udents Union contacted the<br />
student counsellor for advice, support and referral contacts.<br />
Total Number of Counselling Sessions <strong>2006</strong>-20<strong>07</strong><br />
Careers<br />
The Careers Service is responsible for providing careers<br />
guidance and information about employment and further<br />
study opportunities to students and graduates of the <strong>College</strong><br />
and for promoting the <strong>College</strong> at Careers/Higher Education<br />
Fairs. The Careers Officer collaborates with Graduate Careers<br />
Ireland and Gradireland to organise joint events; participates<br />
in the <strong>College</strong> Induction Programme for new entrants and<br />
organises and participates in the <strong>St</strong>udy Skills Programme, run<br />
in conjunction with the Counselling and Access Services.<br />
Career events organised in <strong>2006</strong>/<strong>07</strong> are outlined below. Data<br />
on the first destination of the graduates of <strong>2006</strong>, gathered on<br />
behalf of the Higher Education Authority, is included as an<br />
appendix.<br />
Careers Programme <strong>2006</strong>/<strong>07</strong><br />
• Publication of annual careers brochure<br />
• Online careers newsletter<br />
• Website and Careers Library updated<br />
• Weekly drop-in and appointments service<br />
• Weekly career workshops<br />
• Joint Graduate Careers Fair (with Gradireland, NUI<br />
Maynooth, DIT, TCD, <strong>DCU</strong>, IT Tallaght, IADT, IT<br />
Dundalk and IT Waterford)<br />
• Gradireland Joint Postgraduate <strong>St</strong>udy Fair (GCI event)<br />
• First Destination Survey.<br />
Career workshops/events <strong>2006</strong>/<strong>07</strong><br />
• Applying for Teacher Training in the UK<br />
• Career Planning & Self Assessment<br />
• Mature Graduates’ Careers Evening<br />
• A Review of postgraduate study<br />
• Careers in Library & Information <strong>St</strong>udies<br />
• Career in Marketing<br />
• Careers in Community Development<br />
• Career in Heritage Management<br />
• Careers in Human Resource Management<br />
• Psychometric Testing<br />
• CV and Interview preparation<br />
• Japanese Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET).<br />
The Careers Service actively encourages students to<br />
participate in international schemes through advertising<br />
international scholarships and employment opportunities,<br />
both paid and voluntary. In the Summer of 20<strong>07</strong>, students<br />
worked for SUAS in India, for Camara in Africa, and in the<br />
20
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
Basque region of Spain as mentors with the organisation<br />
‘Enjoy English’.<br />
Adult and Continuing Education<br />
In <strong>2006</strong>/<strong>07</strong> there were 183 undergraduate mature students<br />
registered in the <strong>College</strong> - 94 BA and 89 BEd students (4 BEds<br />
entered through the CAO in <strong>2006</strong>). A total of seventy-nine<br />
mature students (43%) were in receipt of the Higher<br />
Education Maintenance Grant: thirty nine mature BEd and<br />
forty mature BA students were in receipt of the full grant with<br />
an additional five students in receipt of a partial grant. Thirty<br />
mature students were in receipt of the Back to Education<br />
Allowance (Department of Social and Family Affairs).<br />
Seventy-two mature students graduated in <strong>2006</strong> – forty-two<br />
with a BA and thirty with a BEd, 95.8% obtained an honours<br />
degree, eight mature graduates obtained first class honours.<br />
The results for <strong>2006</strong> and data on the destination of our mature<br />
graduates of <strong>2006</strong> are provided in Appendix 4.<br />
A Mature Graduates’ Careers Evening was organised. The<br />
Mature <strong>St</strong>udent Directory of Third-level Institutions, produced<br />
by the Network of Irish Mature <strong>St</strong>udent Officers’ (NIMSO) was<br />
formally launched in January by Dr Garrett Fitzgerald in<br />
Dublin Castle. Copies of the Directory were provided to all of<br />
the Adult Guidance and VTOS/Access Centres by NIMSO.<br />
The Directory is also available in PDF format on the <strong>College</strong><br />
website.<br />
Gaeilge chun polasaí dátheangach an Choláiste a chothú go<br />
hinmheánach i measc na mac léinn agus na foirne, agus go<br />
seachtrach le baill an phobail. Tá na dualgaisí statúideacha<br />
atá ar an gColáiste de bharr Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla<br />
2003 á gcur i bhfeidhm faoi láthair.<br />
Eagraíodh na himeachtaí seo a leanas sa<br />
Choláiste i rith na bliana:<br />
• Ranganna breise Gaeilge do bhaill foirne, bunaithe ar<br />
riachtanais na bhfoghlaimeoirí féin i dtaca le húsáid na<br />
Gaeilge labhartha agus scríofa<br />
• Leathanach suímh Oifigeach na Gaeilge a eagrú agus a<br />
uasdátú<br />
• An tseirbhís téarmaíochta a fhorbairt don fhoireann<br />
teagaisc agus riaracháin<br />
• Ciorcal comhrá agus ócáidí sóisialta a eagrú don<br />
fhoireann agus do mhic léinn chun an Ghaeilge agus<br />
gné na feasachta cultúir agus teanga a chur chun tosaigh<br />
• Breis forbartha a dhéanamh ar na naisc le hOllscoil<br />
Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath, chomh maith le hinstitiúidí<br />
agus le gníomhaireachtaí eile i dtaca le cur chun cinn<br />
na Gaeilge, (e.g. bhí Oifigeach Gaeilge an Choláiste ina<br />
ball de Choiste na nOifigeach agus na <strong>St</strong>iúrthóirí<br />
Gaeilge Ollscoile).<br />
Tá bunú nuachtlitir Ghaeilge do mhic léinn á fhiosrú faoi<br />
láthair mar áis bhreise chumarsáide chomh maith.<br />
Research conducted in 2003, exploring the factors affecting<br />
mature student participation in the <strong>College</strong>, has been updated<br />
and will be published in Providing Gateways for Mature<br />
students in Higher Education in Ireland in Summer 2008.<br />
Oifigeach Gaeilge<br />
Tá an Coláiste tiomanta do chur chun cinn na Gaeilge trí<br />
ghníomhaíochtaí teagaisc agus foghlama, agus aithníonn sé<br />
an tábhacht ar leith a bhaineann leis an teanga in oiliúint<br />
múinteoirí a bheidh ag obair i mbunscoileanna na hÉireann.<br />
Is mar chuid dá pholasaí dátheangach a chuireann an Coláiste<br />
an Ghaeilge chun cinn mar mheán cumarsáide idir mic léinn<br />
agus foireann na háite. Is é Coiste na Gaeilge, grúpa<br />
ionadaíoch mac léinn agus foirne a chruinníonn le chéile uair<br />
gach dhá mhí, a dhéanann comhordú agus forbairt ar<br />
thionscnaimh Ghaeilge sa Choláiste. Bíonn dlúthchomhoibriú<br />
idir baill Choiste na Gaeilge agus Oifigeach na<br />
IT Services<br />
IT Services conducted its quality review over this period. This<br />
included surveys of staff and students, the production of a<br />
self-assessment report and a visit by a Peer Review Group.<br />
The <strong>College</strong> Website was enhanced and upgraded to provide<br />
improved access for people with visual impairment.<br />
Colour laser printing has been installed for students in a<br />
number of labs and the Resource Centre. A programme of<br />
upgrades to the network infrastructure has been implemented.<br />
This will continue into the next report period.<br />
The <strong>College</strong> has approximately 175 student PC’s in six labs<br />
and approximately 60 in other rooms. A full breakdown of the<br />
current position is provided on the <strong>College</strong> Website under<br />
‘student links’ in ‘webservices’.<br />
21
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
Audio Visual Services<br />
During the year, the Audiovisual Department participated in a<br />
quality review. This involved surveying all users of the service<br />
by way of a questionnaire, the writing of a self-assessment<br />
report, and a Peer Review Group visit.<br />
Demand continues for in-house video-production with fully<br />
authored DVD’s now allowing more efficient inclusion of<br />
relevant material within lectures.<br />
During the summer of 20<strong>07</strong> audiovisual facilities in D210 and<br />
D211 were upgraded. This installation is based around the<br />
Extron control system which allows AV equipment to be<br />
integrated and controlled by a single command panel.<br />
Paul Murphy,<br />
AV Unit<br />
Freedom of Information<br />
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong> continues to embrace the spirit of the<br />
Freedom of Information (FOI) 1997 Act as amended. A<br />
significant amount of Information is routinely available and in<br />
many cases published on the <strong>College</strong> website. In the<br />
academic year <strong>2006</strong>/20<strong>07</strong>, ten requests for information were<br />
made to the <strong>College</strong>; four were granted in full and six were<br />
part-granted. One request for an Internal Review was<br />
received, this was duly conducted and part-granted. A<br />
breakdown of the requests is given in the table below. Fees<br />
Applicants <strong>St</strong>udent/former <strong>St</strong>aff Union/Interest Journalist Total<br />
student<br />
Group<br />
1 5 1 3 10<br />
Nature of Personal Non- Mixed<br />
Request<br />
personal<br />
2 4 4 10<br />
were charged at initial request in three cases and a total of<br />
€45.00 was received.<br />
Senior Tutor<br />
The Senior Tutor Service seeks to help ensure that issues<br />
affecting students are dealt with in a helpful and speedy<br />
manner and with their best interests in mind. The Senior Tutor<br />
is responsible for assisting students in their relations with the<br />
<strong>College</strong> and providing a point of contact and a source of<br />
support and information for them, both on arrival and in times<br />
of difficulty. A drop-in advisory service for all students was<br />
provided on Mon-Tues. from 10.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. during<br />
term time. A total of 79 students sought assistance or were<br />
referred to the Senior Tutor - 13 with potentially serious<br />
difficulties that may have resulted in dropping out, 21 with<br />
minor difficulties largely related to adjustment to college life;<br />
16 of the 79 students were referred to the Senior Tutor by staff<br />
members. 11 students were advised and assisted with the<br />
process of deferrals and appeals.<br />
An expanded Induction Programme for all First Year BA and<br />
BEd students (approximately 620 in total) which took place in<br />
the <strong>College</strong> on 21 and 25 September, included an<br />
introductory talk/welcome, small-group sessions focussing on<br />
adjusting to <strong>College</strong> life, presentations/discussion fora with<br />
current students, and tours of the campus. The event was<br />
organised by the <strong>St</strong>udent Support Services team, co-ordinated<br />
by the Senior Tutor and facilitated by members of staff and<br />
current third year students. Having been awarded a quality<br />
promotion award in January, the Senior Tutor conducted an<br />
evaluation of the Expanded Induction Programme. Feedback<br />
from the survey suggests that students found the programme<br />
extremely beneficial in helping them ‘settle in’ and easing<br />
their transition to college. Out of a total number of 138<br />
respondents surveyed, 20% rated the Induction Programme as<br />
“Excellent”, while 71% rated it as “Good” and a further 7.2%<br />
rated it as “Fair”. No respondents surveyed rated it as “Poor”.<br />
A late arrivals service was established in conjunction with the<br />
Admissions Office for students who missed induction and<br />
orientation. The advocacy for students experiencing<br />
difficulties in their teaching practice increased. In addition,<br />
the Senior Tutor liaised with internal and external supports,<br />
participated in the first year and post-graduate orientation<br />
programmes, and on the Equality Committee. The role of the<br />
Senior Tutor has expanded in the last three years due to its<br />
enhanced profile, and the growing awareness among students<br />
of the availability of such a service.<br />
22
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
throughout the year. Some of the courses and seminars<br />
attended by library staff included Copyright Legislation,<br />
“Shopping for your library: procurement and acquisitions” a<br />
one day course organised by the Acquisitions Group of<br />
Ireland, Electronic Resources Seminar organised by the Health<br />
Sciences Library Group (Library Association of Ireland),<br />
E-Merging Technologies & “Shifting Sands: Experiencing<br />
Change in the Library and Information Environment”<br />
organised by the Academic and Special Libraries section of<br />
the Library Association of Ireland.<br />
Oisín McGann<br />
Library<br />
To celebrate UNESCO World Book Day, the library, in<br />
conjunction with Eithne Kennedy and Bernadette Dwyer from<br />
the Education Department, invited children from Our Lady<br />
Immaculate Junior National School in Darndale and <strong>St</strong><br />
Joseph’s Girls National School Finglas to the <strong>College</strong> on 23<br />
and 24 April. The children from Darndale designed and<br />
produced their own books, while Oisín McGann, celebrated<br />
children’s writer, read from his work with the children from<br />
Finglas. Oisín also illustrates his own work and an illustration<br />
produced on the day was presented to each class. The library<br />
has been running this event for a number of years and as<br />
usual all the children received a gift bag which included a<br />
book.<br />
Breandán Ó Conaire made a very generous donation to the<br />
library on his retirement from Roinn na Gaeilge. The library<br />
received approx. 200 items in total, which included Irish<br />
language material, linguistics and school textbooks. The<br />
collection also included personal items such as Breandán's<br />
own copybooks - Ceachtanna Scoile and Obair Scoile - from<br />
his days as a student teacher.<br />
<strong>St</strong>atistics at a Glance<br />
Books Shelved 202,479<br />
Photocopies 386,853<br />
Inter Library Loan Requests 155<br />
Books Ordered 1241<br />
Full Text Journals Available Online 196<br />
Books Catalogued 3056<br />
Current Journals In <strong>St</strong>ock 409<br />
Items Borrowed 65,022<br />
The Reciprocal Borrowing arrangement between the libraries<br />
in <strong>DCU</strong> and <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong> was extended this year to<br />
include all staff members. The final phase of the Talis Project<br />
Lyra was completed with the Library System Alto upgrade to<br />
version 4.1 and the authority cataloguing records converted to<br />
MARC21 formats. The latest version of the online catalogue<br />
(Prism 2.1) was also installed. This means that <strong>DCU</strong>, <strong>St</strong><br />
Patrick’s <strong>College</strong> and Mater Dei libraries are now fully<br />
compliant with the two bibliographic standards MARC21 and<br />
ISBN13.<br />
World Book Day in the Library<br />
A booklet outlining Irish Language Resources Online was<br />
made available in the library to coincide with the celebrations<br />
during Seachtain na Gaeilge, 20<strong>07</strong>. The booklet outlines all<br />
the electronic resources and websites available through Irish.<br />
The Professional Development of library staff continued<br />
23
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
Highlights of the Year / Príomhimeachtaí na Bliana<br />
the RAI.<br />
The annual conference of the Irish Learning Support<br />
Association (Cumann Tacaíochta Foghlama na hÉireann) took<br />
place on 8-9 September. The theme was Enabling Positive<br />
Behaviour. The conference was opened by Minister of <strong>St</strong>ate<br />
for Children at the Department of Education and Science,<br />
Brian Lenihan. The keynote speaker was Jacinta Kitt.<br />
Roddy Day, John Coolahan, Pauric Travers, George<br />
Cunningham, at a reception in Belvedere House marking the<br />
45th anniversary of the Class of 1961<br />
The following were some of the main events that took place<br />
during the year:<br />
The annual conference of the Catholic Historical Society of<br />
Ireland was hosted on 16 September. Participants included<br />
Dr Michael Browne (University of Aberdeen), Dr Phil Kilroy<br />
(Trinity <strong>College</strong> Dublin), Dr James Kelly, His Eminence<br />
Cardinal Desmond Connell, Dr Nigel Aston (University of<br />
Leicester) and Dr Daire Keogh. The conference was organised<br />
by Dr Marian Lyons.<br />
The BEd class of 1981 held a 25th anniversary reunion on<br />
Saturday 23 September. Following Mass in the chapel and a<br />
reception, participants enjoyed a dinner in the <strong>College</strong> dining<br />
room. After-dinner speakers were Denis Bohane, President of<br />
the INTO, and Dr Travers, President of the <strong>College</strong>. A highlight<br />
of the evening was a reading of a specially written poem by<br />
Ned Keane of Louisburgh which was greeted by a standing<br />
ovation and not a few nostalgic tears. The songs, stories and<br />
reminiscences continued into the early hours.<br />
The 30th Annual Conference of the Reading Association of<br />
Ireland (RAI) was held in the <strong>College</strong> on 28-30 September.<br />
The theme was "Literacy at the Crossroads: Moving Forward,<br />
Looking Back" and papers addressed Literacy and<br />
Disadvantage, Comprehension, Supporting <strong>St</strong>ruggling<br />
Readers, English Language Learners, Writing, Early Literacy<br />
Development, Popular Culture and the New Literacies, and<br />
the Development of Reading Fluency. Keynote speakers were<br />
Gerry Shiel, Colin Harrison and Martin Gleeson. The<br />
Conference was organised by Bernadette Dwyer, President of<br />
Bhí oíche mhór sa Choláiste ar an 12 Deireadh Fómhair, le<br />
beatha agus saothar an scríbhneora Gaeilge Máirtín Ó<br />
Cadhain (1906-1970) a chomóradh. Chuir Máirín Nic Eoin, a<br />
d’eagraigh an comóradh, tús leis an oíche nuair a chuir sí an<br />
tOllamh Bob Welch ó Ollscoil Nua Uladh i láthair leis an<br />
léacht 'Ó Cadhain and Beckett: The Vehemence of the Dead'<br />
a thabhairt. Dúirt an tOllamh Welch gur phléigh an bheirt<br />
údar Éireannacha seo le ‘extremity’, duine acu ag díriú ar an<br />
saol in iarthar na hEorpa agus an duine eile ag díriú ar<br />
theanga, chultúr agus saol mhuintir iarthar na hÉireann. Ar<br />
leibhéil áirithe, ar seisean, labhraíonn siad le chéile: ‘they<br />
speak to each other across a chasm of language’. Labhair Alan<br />
Titley ina dhiaidh sin, nuair a nochtadh portráid nua den<br />
Chadhnach a choimisiúnaigh an Coláiste go speisialta do<br />
chomóradh céad bliain an údair. Bhí Caoimhghin Ó<br />
Croidheáin, a rinne an phortráid, i láthair chomh maith.<br />
Labhair Máirtín Ó Cadhain, nia an scríbhneora, thar cheann<br />
mhuintir Uí Chadhain. Ghlac sé buíochas le Coláiste<br />
Phádraig, alma mater an Chadhnaigh, as ucht ócáid chomh<br />
breá sin a eagrú. Bhailigh gach duine in Amharclann an<br />
Choláiste ansin le haghaidh dráma le hAisteoirí Bulfin.<br />
Fidelma Ní Ghallchobhair ó Aisteoirí Bulfin a chóirigh agus a<br />
léirigh ‘An Eochair’, leagan stáitse de ghearrscéal cailiúil den<br />
teideal céanna leis an gCadhnach. Bhí páirt J, an<br />
páipéar-choinneálaí sóisir, ag Seán Ó Cadhain, nia eile leis an<br />
scríbhneoir. Bhain gach duine sult as an oíche spreagúil seo.<br />
Léiríodh go bhfuil sprid an Chadhnaigh láidir sa Choláiste fós.<br />
The premiére of John Buckley's Work "In Winter Light" took<br />
place in the National Concert Hall on 17 November. The<br />
work is written for, and dedicated to, William Dowdall, who<br />
performed on both flute and alto flute with the<br />
accompaniment of harp, marimba, xylophone, celeste and<br />
strings.<br />
On 23 November, a lecture was delivered in the <strong>College</strong> by<br />
distinguished children’s literature specialist, Professor<br />
Rosemary R Johnston entitled ‘Of Connection and<br />
Community: Children's literature, Sameness and Difference’.<br />
Professor Johnston is Director of Teacher Education, and<br />
Director of The Centre for Research and Education in the Arts<br />
at the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.<br />
24
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
Marion Doherty-Hayden conducted the Malahide-based choir,<br />
ENCHIRIADIS TREIS, in Handel's 'Messiah' in the Helix on 2<br />
December. The bass soloist was BEd student, Gavan Ring, who<br />
made his first appearance as an oratorio singer. Gavan sang<br />
the role of Giuseppe in 'The Gondoliers' in the NCH from 19-<br />
25 November.<br />
On 5 December, the French Department hosted a lecture by<br />
Dr David Evans, University of <strong>St</strong> Andrews on 'The Sound of<br />
Silence: Music in French Poetry from Lamartine to Mallarmé'.<br />
A conference to mark the bicentenary of the abolition of the<br />
slave trade was held in the <strong>College</strong> on 9 & 10 February. It<br />
addressed the questions: Is slavery history? and How can we<br />
teach about slavery? The conference was opened by Minister<br />
of <strong>St</strong>ate, Conor Lenihan TD, and the keynote address was<br />
given by Prof Jim Walvin, University of York. Workshops and<br />
lectures on historic and contemporary issues of slavery by the<br />
Africa Centre, Amnesty International (Irish Section), Trócaire,<br />
Anti-Slavery International and by staff of <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong><br />
were included. An exhibition for schools was also developed.<br />
The conference and exhibition were part funded by Irish Aid.<br />
On 27 February, Jackie Marsh, Reader in Education at<br />
Sheffield University, presented a workshop on qualitative<br />
research methods to members of staff and postgraduate<br />
students of the <strong>College</strong>.<br />
A very successful Seimineáir Taighde series was organised by<br />
Roinn na Gaeilge. Among the topics and speakers were:<br />
‘Cumas Gaeilge na nDaltaí i Scoileanna Lán-Ghaeilge’<br />
(Pádraig Ó Duibhir); ‘An Saol Sí i nDúchas na hÉireann’<br />
(Dáithí Ó hÓgain); ‘Eriugena: fealsamh as Éirinn i Laon na<br />
Fraince 850-870’ (Eoghan Mac Aogáin); ‘An Ghaeilge agus an<br />
Eoraip Inniu’ (Pádraig Ó Laighin); ‘Saothar Phádraig Uí<br />
Chíobháin’ (Sorcha de Brún); ‘Inscne Ghramadúil i dTéacs<br />
Ultach ón 18ú hAois’ (Ciarán Mac Murchaidh); ‘Gael Linn<br />
agus Amharc Éireann 1956-1964’ (Póilín Ní Chathail); ‘Ról na<br />
Teanga i Saol Gaeilgeoirí’ (Eimear Ní Chaomhánaigh);<br />
‘Teoiricí Jung agus Úrscéalta Phádraig Uí Mhaoileoin’ (Oisín<br />
Uíbh Eachach); ‘An Léargas Sóisialta, Cultúrtha agus <strong>St</strong>airiúil i<br />
nDírbheathaisnéisí Thír Chonaill’ (Michelle Ní Chearbhaill);<br />
‘An tAos Sí: léargas ar mheon an duine thraidisiúnta’<br />
(Caitríona Ní Mhurchú); ‘An Ghaeilge agus an Bhreatnais:<br />
TG4 agus S4C’ (Eibhlín Nic Eachaidh).<br />
Daire Keogh, Fionnuala Waldron, Professor James Walvin and<br />
Minister Conor Lenihan at the Slavery Conference in February<br />
On 8 February, as part of the PE Pays series, Dr Thom<br />
McKenzie gave a lecture in the <strong>College</strong> entitled 'Seeing is<br />
believing : Assessing Physical Activity Interventions in Home,<br />
School and Community settings’ at which the <strong>College</strong><br />
launched its In Service Certificate and Diploma in Physical<br />
Education.<br />
On 12 March, Amy O’Leary and Professor Penny<br />
Hauser-Cram from Boston <strong>College</strong> gave a seminar on early<br />
years education. Ms O’Leary spoke about her work as<br />
Deputy Director for Operations for <strong>St</strong>rategies for Children –<br />
including advocacy – and in particular the Early Educationfor-all<br />
campaign to make early education available to all<br />
young children in Massachusetts. Professor Hauser-Cram,<br />
who is Professor of Developmental and Educational<br />
Psychology, Lynch School, Boston <strong>College</strong>, spoke on her<br />
research on early intervention for children with special needs.<br />
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong> was part of a Boston <strong>College</strong> Early Years<br />
Education Programme in <strong>2006</strong>.<br />
A commemorative “John McGahern Irish Writing Lecture”<br />
took place in the <strong>College</strong> on 10 May. Dr Derek Hand of the<br />
On 14 February, the distinguished traditional singer Máiréad<br />
Ní Fhlatharta led an evening of singing in the Seomra<br />
Caidrimh. Bhí amhránaithe eile i dteannta Mháiréad, gan<br />
amhras. Amhránaithe ón gColáiste a bhí ann: Antaine Ó<br />
Faracháin, Eibhlín Uí Bhriain, Cian Kearns agus Máire Ní<br />
Bhaoill. Teagascóirí le Roinn na Gaeilge is ea Antaine agus<br />
Eibhlín beirt, agus ainm orthu araon mar amhránaithe<br />
cruthanta. Mac léinn de chuid Choláiste Phádraig is ea Cian.<br />
Agus amhránaí agus ceoltóir is ea Máire, í ag obair i Rannóg<br />
Theagasc na Gaeilge i Roinn Oideachas an Choláiste.<br />
Writer Joseph O’Connor with Derek Hand on the occasion<br />
of the first John McGahern memorial lecture<br />
25
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
English Department gave a talk “Saying Goodbye to John: or<br />
Thank you for the Day” celebrating McGahern’s work as<br />
affirming the importance of community and the potency of<br />
shared human experience and shared goals. Novelist Joseph<br />
O’Connor delivered his own tribute to McGahern and then<br />
read from his latest best selling novel Redemption Falls.<br />
Robert Fisk, the<br />
renowned Middle East<br />
correspondent of the<br />
Independent (UK)<br />
newspaper, delivered<br />
the keynote public<br />
lecture at the<br />
Conference of Irish<br />
Geographers which<br />
was held in the<br />
<strong>College</strong> from 11-13<br />
May. Fisk, the author<br />
of the sweeping<br />
Robert Fisk<br />
analysis of Middle<br />
East history – The<br />
Great War For Civilisation – spoke on the theme: ‘Collapse in<br />
Iraq: The Way Out’.<br />
every year – but one: 1956. <strong>St</strong> Vincent’s fielded at least<br />
three-quarters of the Dublin team at the time (All-Ireland<br />
finalists 1955) while the Erin’s Hope team was virtually an<br />
U-21 lineout. The team was Terry McQuinn (Kerry), Mick<br />
O’Donoghue (Kerry), Brendan Keane RIP (Mayo), John Joe<br />
Breslin (Roscommon), Tadhg O Siocrú (Kerry), Martin Queally<br />
(Clare), Pat Conefrey (Leitrim), Fintan Walsh, Capt. (Laois),<br />
Tom Long (Kerry), Dermot O’Donovan (Cork), Mattie<br />
McDonagh RIP (Galway), Micheal O Briain (Cork), Tomás<br />
McKenna (Kerry), Donal Hurley (Cork), Bertie Towey RIP<br />
(Mayo). Subs were: Piaras Ferriter (Donegal), Jimmy Casey<br />
(Longford), Gerry Twomey (Meath), John Browne (Clare),<br />
Tadhg Garvey (Kerry), Dave McSweeney (Cork), Paddy<br />
O’Toole (Mayo).<br />
The Irish Association of Teachers in Special Education held its<br />
19th Annual International Conference on Special Education in<br />
the <strong>College</strong> from 7-9 May. This year's theme was "Focus on<br />
the <strong>St</strong>udent - in the Midst of Policy and Paper". The<br />
Conference was opened by Emily Logan, Ombudsman for<br />
Children. The keynote address was delivered by Roy<br />
McConkey, Professor of Learning Disability, University of<br />
Ulster.<br />
The fifth edition of the Education For All (EFA) Global<br />
Monitoring Report, <strong>St</strong>rong Foundations: Early Childhood Care<br />
and Education, was launched at a seminar held in the <strong>College</strong><br />
on 31 May 20<strong>07</strong>. The seminar was co-hosted by the <strong>College</strong>,<br />
the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education<br />
and Irish Aid. Yusef Sayed, senior policy analyst from the<br />
EFA/Global Monitoring Team at UNESCO Paris gave an<br />
overview of the main findings. Heino Schonfeld, Director of<br />
the CECDE, benchmarked progress in Ireland in relation to<br />
early childhood care and education, against the situation<br />
elsewhere.<br />
Erin’s Hope 50th anniversary reunion<br />
On 21 April, the Class of '57 held their 50th Anniversary<br />
reunion in the INTO Teachers' Club. The night was organised<br />
by John Joe Vaughan, with some help from Eoghan Ó<br />
Súilleabháin (graduate of the class and retired member of staff<br />
from <strong>St</strong> <strong>Patrick's</strong> <strong>College</strong>).<br />
A group of some 35 people assembled during the year at the<br />
Castlerosse Hotel in Killarney to celebrate a notable 50th<br />
anniversary – the victory of Erin’s Hope in the Dublin Senior<br />
Football Championship of 1956. The victory was a<br />
particularly memorable one because of its circumstances.<br />
Over a fourteen-year period (1949-1962) opponents, <strong>St</strong><br />
Vincent’s, created an incredible record by winning the title<br />
Class of ‘57 reunion<br />
26
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong> – A History<br />
Pauric Travers, Denis Bohane (INTO President), An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and Jimmy Kelly,<br />
editor of <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>: A History<br />
James Kelly (ed.), <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra. A History (Four Courts, <strong>2006</strong>) was launched by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD,<br />
before a large audience in the <strong>College</strong> dining room in November <strong>2006</strong>. Commending the <strong>College</strong> for its service to the nation and<br />
its commitment to excellence in teaching and research, the Taoiseach welcomed the book as contributing not only to an<br />
understanding of the history of the <strong>College</strong>, but also of the whole Drumcondra area and of Irish education. As one of the oldest<br />
third-level institutions in Ireland, the history of <strong>St</strong> <strong>Patrick's</strong> <strong>College</strong> was, Mr Ahern said, ‘tightly linked with the history of education<br />
itself in this country’.<br />
He added that the contribution made by the <strong>College</strong> to the development of Special Education has been a<br />
really significant one. In each era of its history, ‘the one constant thread that has run through its history has been its faithful<br />
endeavour to serve the nation as an educational institution. And from its earliest days, the <strong>College</strong> played a key role in setting high<br />
standards and progressing the cause of education in this land.’<br />
The Taoiseach acknowledged the contribution of the Vincentian<br />
community to the <strong>College</strong> and all those who had helped in its<br />
‘transformation from a traditional teacher training <strong>College</strong> to<br />
the forward-looking institution that it is today’. Edited by James<br />
Kelly of the History Department, the other contributors to this<br />
new <strong>College</strong> history are: Joseph Doyle, Diarmaid Ferriter, Carla<br />
King, James Kelly, Ruth MacManus, Eoghan Ó Súilleabháin,<br />
Ciaran Sugrue and John Walsh.<br />
The full text of the Taoiseach’s remarks is included in<br />
Appendix 6.<br />
<strong>St</strong>udents providing entertainment at the <strong>College</strong> History<br />
launch<br />
27
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
<strong>St</strong>udent Life / Saol na Mac Léinn<br />
It would be difficult to fit into one report all of the diverse<br />
activities of the students in a range of areas including music,<br />
sport and drama. Below is a small selection of those<br />
activities:<br />
Darren O'Neill, BA student who boxes for Paulstown BC in<br />
Kilkenny, reached the last eight in the European Boxing<br />
Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, in July. Darren won gold<br />
in the Grand Prix of Ostrava - the Czech Republic Boxing<br />
Championships.<br />
<strong>St</strong>ring, with a song entitled ‘If I get there’. Runner-up was<br />
Grainne Carroll, and Best Entertainment was given to The<br />
Intervals (Chris O Sullivan and Aideen Hand). Joe O Reilly<br />
and Colm Sheehan acted as MCs. The interval acts on the<br />
night included the Trad Society, Louise Casey who featured on<br />
RTE’s You’re A <strong>St</strong>ar, Anthony McFeely, Colm Costello and<br />
Gavin Wynne.<br />
On 12 December, the Annual Carol Service was held in the<br />
<strong>College</strong> Chapel. The <strong>College</strong> Choir conducted by Marion<br />
Doherty was joined by the Folk Group, the Traditional Music<br />
Group, Viva Voce conducted by Yvonne Higgins, and this<br />
year, for the first time, a Liturgical Dance Group. The<br />
reflection was provided by Anne O’Farrell.<br />
Eoin Mulvany BMus, a second year Research MA student in<br />
the Music Department has won the prestigious ‘Jerome Hynes<br />
Composers Competition <strong>2006</strong>’. Eoin’s winning composition<br />
‘PX2’ for flute and piano was premiered in the National<br />
Concert Hall on 7 February as part of the ‘Rising <strong>St</strong>ar’ recital<br />
series. The “Jerome Hynes Composers Competition” offers<br />
young Irish composers the opportunity to have their works<br />
assessed in a competition, with the winning student being<br />
offered a performance of their work as well as a substantial<br />
cash prize.<br />
Boxing champion Darren O’Neill<br />
A series of lunchtime concerts commenced in the <strong>College</strong> on<br />
8 November. There were five concerts in Semester 1, and a<br />
further seven in the second semester. Concerts this year<br />
included an exciting line up of <strong>College</strong> students and invited<br />
guests. <strong>St</strong>udents provided a vibrant mix of classical, popular<br />
and traditional music. A highlight was the concert entitled<br />
'The Three Baritones', (Gavan Ring, Brian Gilligan and Cian<br />
Kearins). The group later played to the President of Ireland in<br />
Áras an Uachtaráin.<br />
Bhí ceol binn suaimhneach na suantraí Gaeilge á ghabháil ag<br />
mic léinn agus baill foirne le clos am loín nuair a thug an<br />
t-amhránaí clúiteach, Róisín Elsafty, cuairt ar an Choláiste le<br />
ceardlann amhránaíochta a thabhairt. De bhunadh<br />
Chonamara í Róisín agus tá traidisiún an cheoil agus na<br />
hamhránaíochta ag baint go láidir lena muintir. Ba óna<br />
máthair Treasa Ní Cheannabháin a thug sí bua na<br />
hamhránaíochta, a deir sí, agus is amhránaí mór le rá í Treasa<br />
ina cáilíocht féin. Is as an Éigipt d’athair Róisín, agus tá lorg<br />
ceol na hÉigipte le brath go láidir ar ábhar chuid de na<br />
hamhráin atá cumtha ag a máthair (An Phalaitín, mar<br />
shampla), agus is minic Róisín á thabhairt stíl an dá traidisiúin<br />
le chéile ina chuid amhránaíochta. Tá an-taithí go deo ag<br />
Róisín ar mhúineadh na hamhránaíochta, agus d’éirigh léi na<br />
hamhráin go léir a mhúineadh don lucht éisteachta, agus<br />
ornáidí na n-amhrán a thabhairt chun solais go paiteanta.<br />
As part of their main fund-raising campaign this year, more<br />
than €10,000 has been raised by the <strong>St</strong>udents Union for the<br />
Adekyee (“New Dawn”) Schools Project in Ghana. The money<br />
has been donated to the severely disadvantaged community<br />
of Jasikan, Ghana, through Gabriel Mante, the local bishop.<br />
Pictured with President and Mr McAleese are The Baritones –<br />
Gavan Ring, Brian Gilligan and Cian Kearins. They were<br />
accompanied on their visit to the Áras by Dr Marion<br />
Doherty-Hayden.<br />
The first production of the new <strong>College</strong> repertory company<br />
(SPARC) opened on 20 November. Sean Corcoran’s<br />
production of Arthur Miller's classic depiction of mass<br />
hysteria, 'The Crucible' drew largely on the graduates of the<br />
MA in Theatre <strong>St</strong>udies, established in 1999. The Chair of<br />
SPARC is Dr Pat Burke, Director of the Theatre <strong>St</strong>udies MA.<br />
The Annual <strong>St</strong> <strong>Patrick's</strong> <strong>College</strong> Song Contest took place in the<br />
<strong>College</strong> auditorium on 6 December. The songs performed on<br />
the night were written and performed by the students<br />
themselves. The winner was Brian Gilligan and his band Six<br />
Carmal Dinan accompanies students on trip to Ghana to<br />
present cheque raised in <strong>College</strong> to Bishop Mante<br />
28
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
The money which was raised mainly through a ‘sponsor a<br />
brick’ campaign will provide new classroom<br />
accommodation in local schools. Dr Carmel Dinan of the<br />
Education Department, Pauric Bolton, Welfare Officer and<br />
Sine Friel, of the <strong>St</strong>udents’ Union visited Ghana as part of the<br />
project. Jasikan, located in the northern part of the Volta<br />
Region, is one of the poorest parts of Ghana.The Catholic<br />
Diocese of Jasikan has embarked on the “New Dawn”<br />
project to provide five new ‘model’ schools to cater for the<br />
educational needs of its children.<br />
In second semester, Paula Meehan was <strong>DCU</strong>/<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s<br />
<strong>College</strong> poet in residence, sponsored by Poetry Ireland. On 7<br />
March, staff and students who participated in her workshops<br />
over a six week period attended a performance in the <strong>College</strong><br />
to mark the end of the series. The performance included<br />
readings and the launch of a collection of poems entitled<br />
‘Poetry and Pastries’ which were inspired by the workshops.<br />
Two of Meehan’s own poems on eulogies to children which<br />
were translated into Irish by Dr Máirín Nic Eoin of Roinn na<br />
Gaeilge, were presented to the poet.<br />
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong> Women's Volleyball Team reached the All<br />
Ireland <strong>College</strong>'s Volleyball Final after an impressive display<br />
in <strong>DCU</strong>, which is a first for the <strong>College</strong>. After finishing in 2nd<br />
place on the day in the Qualifying group, <strong>St</strong> Pats beat a strong<br />
Carlow IT team in the Semi Final. This achievement is all the<br />
more creditable given that just two of the team had played<br />
volleyball before this season.<br />
Two PhD fellowships have been awarded to <strong>College</strong> students<br />
under the latest IRCHSS funding round: Ann Marie Byrne<br />
(Human Development) and Chris Lawlor (History). A further<br />
successful doctoral student registered at NUIM is supervised<br />
here as part of the developing Foras Feasa relationship.<br />
Best Sporting Male (Fresher): Richie Hogan; Best Sporting<br />
Female (Fresher): Feena Byrne; Club Event of the Year:<br />
O’Connor Cup; Society Event of the Year: Drama Soc One<br />
Acts; Appreciation Award: Paul Knox; Lecturer of the Year:<br />
Jones Irwin; Club Organiser of the Year: Matthew Campbell;<br />
Society Organiser of the Year: Sinead McCauley; Outstanding<br />
Achievement Award: Joanne English/<strong>St</strong>ephen Carolan.<br />
Presentations were also made to the Scór All Ireland trad<br />
music group and the All Ireland winning ladies and men GAA<br />
football teams. The event was organised by Clubs and<br />
Societies Officer, Ciara Gallagher.<br />
Several <strong>College</strong> students undertook voluntary work abroad<br />
during their Summer break. Carla Arthurs, Joe Finn and<br />
Aisling Brennan (2nd year BA students) worked on the<br />
“Camara” project in Lesotho, while 2nd year BEds Ann Marie<br />
Connolly, Eoin Callaghan and Paul Gallagher, with Roisín<br />
Cuddihy (1st year postgrad), worked on the “Realt” teaching<br />
project in Uganda, in association with Marino Institute of<br />
Education and CICE.<br />
There was a regular programme of activities for the GAA<br />
teams representing Coláiste Phádraig, with twelve teams<br />
participating in seventy Comhairle Ard-oideachais fixtures.<br />
Worthy of special mention is the All-Ireland Trench cup<br />
victory in Belfast at which David Henry (3rd year BEd/Dublin)<br />
won player of the tournament, and the All-Ireland Senior Scór<br />
win in three categories in Killarney. Shauna McGarrigle<br />
captured the Amhránaíocht Aonair category, while the Ceol<br />
Uirlise category was won by the <strong>College</strong> Trad group of Nadia<br />
Markey, Cian Kearins, Janine Redmond, Michael Harrison,<br />
and Seán Óg Farrell. A recording of the Scór finals was shown<br />
on RTE television on 1st and 8th June.<br />
At the annual Clubs and Societies award presentations,<br />
students from a wide variety of student societies were<br />
presented with awards for their outstanding achievements<br />
throughout the year. The guest of honour was Micheál Ó<br />
Muircheartaigh, himself a past student of the <strong>College</strong>, who<br />
spoke of the changes in the <strong>College</strong> since his days here.<br />
Some of the members of the Scór winning traditional group met<br />
Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh at the Clubs and Societies Awards<br />
Awards presented included: Best Club: Mens GAA; Best<br />
Society: Scór/Trad Soc; Most Improved Club: Volleyball Club;<br />
Most Improved Society: Hip Hop Soc; Best New Club: Surf<br />
Club; Best New Society: Open Mic Society; Best Sporting<br />
Male: Declan Lafferty; Best Sporting Female: Bernice Byrne;<br />
Hurling in Fitzgibbon for only the second season, the <strong>College</strong><br />
senior hurlers marked their presence with commendable<br />
league and championship displays – missing a place in the<br />
coveted Fitzgibbon weekend in Carlow by just a single point<br />
to a fine DIT side. The Ladies, runners-up in the senior<br />
national league, enjoyed their participation in the O’Connor<br />
Cup Football weekend and returned with the O’Connor<br />
Shield. The Fresher Hurlers and Footballers took the<br />
silverware in the Leinster Championship.<br />
The <strong>College</strong> tradition of providing opportunities for all<br />
students to gain confidence and add to self-esteem is<br />
encouraged and given ample expression in <strong>College</strong> GAA<br />
Clubs with commendable success. Táimid an-bhuíoch de<br />
ghach éinne, idir lucht leanúna agus imreoirí, a thóg moladh<br />
an phobail ar an gColáiste agus gabhaimid buíochas do<br />
chuile dhuine toisc a ndea-iompar i rith na bliana.<br />
29
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
International Links / Naisc Idirnáisiúnta<br />
International Evening organised for and by the students<br />
themselves. The Irish Department ran a course on Irish<br />
<strong>St</strong>udies, and Gerry O’Reilly conducted a tour of heritage sites<br />
in the Boyne Valley in each semester.<br />
In <strong>2006</strong>-<strong>07</strong> the <strong>College</strong> applied for and was granted an EU<br />
Erasmus <strong>St</strong>andard University Charter, 20<strong>07</strong>-2013. This Charter<br />
provides the general framework for all European co-operation<br />
activities within the Lifelong Learning Erasmus Programme.<br />
Mic léinn Erasmus<br />
In <strong>2006</strong>-<strong>07</strong> the <strong>College</strong> received Erasmus (EU) funding<br />
totalling €16,000 for student grants and €1,000 for<br />
Organisation of Mobility for <strong>St</strong>udents and Teachers. Ten<br />
students received Erasmus grants to study abroad in Semester<br />
II. They studied in universities in Aberdeen (1), Finland (1),<br />
Lithuania (2), and the Czech Republic (1) and in a French<br />
<strong>College</strong> of Education in Versailles (5).<br />
B.Oid. Idirnáisiúnta<br />
Seven students on the four-year BEd (International) spent the<br />
year in France taking courses at the universities of Nancy2 (4),<br />
Bourgogne (2), and Limoges (1). They also worked as<br />
part-time Teaching Assistants in nearby primary schools under<br />
a Franco-Irish Exchange programme. Two further students on<br />
the international degree programmes – one a BEd<br />
(International) and the other a BA (International) - spent the<br />
year at the Université de Toulouse, and the Université<br />
d’Angers respectively.<br />
Mic léinn Erasmus a tháinig anseo<br />
The <strong>College</strong> acted as host to 30 Erasmus students, 16 in<br />
Semester I (including 2 whole-year students) and 14 in<br />
Semester II. The students came from France (8), Belgium (6),<br />
The Czech Republic (3), Finland (2), Hungary (2), Poland (2),<br />
Scotland (2), Spain (2), Austria (1), Bulgaria (1), and Lithuania<br />
(1).<br />
US/Mic léinn CPD i Meiriceá<br />
Nine students went on 1-semester study-visits to the<br />
University of Northern Colorado (6) and Merrimack <strong>College</strong>,<br />
Boston (3). Twelve American students, from the University of<br />
Northern Colorado (9), the University of CHICO (2), and<br />
Merrimack <strong>College</strong> (1) spent a semester in SPD.<br />
Comenius, Lingua, Erasmus Mundus<br />
Collaborative work with colleagues abroad in various projects<br />
continued. A Comenius ‘Science Teaching and Learning’<br />
project, aimed at improving the delivery of science education<br />
modules in institutes of education in the EU, and at promoting<br />
science education at primary and secondary level, was started<br />
in October <strong>2006</strong>. This project, which will run from<br />
<strong>2006</strong>-2009, was undertaken in partnership with the Catholic<br />
University of Angers in France , the University of Ljubljana in<br />
Slovenia, the University of Western Bohemia in the Czech<br />
Republic, and the University of Cyprus, with Hugh Gash and<br />
Tom McCloughlin representing the <strong>College</strong>. The <strong>College</strong> also<br />
joined with the Universities of Zaragoza and Braganca in<br />
working on an Erasmus Mundus Master’s degree,<br />
‘Educational, Social and Work Inclusion of People with<br />
Disabilities’. This programme was granted funding in the<br />
summer of 20<strong>07</strong> and is intended to run for three years. The<br />
<strong>College</strong> was also a partner institution in the Euro Languages<br />
Net Plus project (<strong>2006</strong>-<strong>07</strong>), centred at the Public Service<br />
Language Centre, Vilnius, Lithuania. This project was<br />
established to promote linguistic diversity and to create an<br />
Internet resource for the general public focussed on less<br />
widely used European languages. Éanna MacCaba from Roinn<br />
na Gaeilge was the <strong>College</strong> participant.<br />
Clár ACE/The Ace Programme<br />
The partnership between SPD and the University of Notre<br />
Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE), which was<br />
established in 2001, continues. This year one SPD student,<br />
Anna Jacobs (BEd 2005) joined the programme in June 20<strong>07</strong>.<br />
Dr Daire Keogh is the <strong>College</strong> coordinator for this<br />
programme.<br />
Cuairteanna Teagaisc Erasmus<br />
The <strong>College</strong> received €4,800 for Erasmus teaching<br />
assignments in partner colleges. The following staff<br />
participated: Mary Shine Thompson (Versailles), Gerry<br />
O’Reilly (Kecskemét), Pádraig de Paor (Université Rennes 2),<br />
Uáitéar Mac Gearailt (Universidad Complutense de Madrid),<br />
Ann Louise Gilligan (University of Warsaw), Hugh Gash<br />
(Universidad Católica de Valencia).<br />
Aoi-Léachtóirí Erasmus a tháinig<br />
The following colleagues visited the <strong>College</strong> on Erasmus<br />
teaching assignments: Dr Elzbieta Putkievicz and Dr<br />
Malgorzata ytko (University of Warsaw), Dominique Truffle<br />
(IUFM de l’Académie de Versailles), Dr Tuula Asunta<br />
(University of Jyväskylä), and Professor Regina Rudaityt,<br />
(University of Vilnius).<br />
Cuireadh fáilte rompu<br />
A number of activities were organised for visiting students in<br />
Semesters I and II, including the President’s Reception and the<br />
30
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
<strong>St</strong>aff Publications / Foilseacháin na Foirne<br />
In June, the eleventh annual Research Report was presented to<br />
Academic Council by Dr Mary Shine Thompson, Co-ordinator<br />
of Research. This includes a detailed record of research<br />
completed and/or published by staff during the year. The<br />
following are some of the publications included:<br />
Discovering Drama: Theory<br />
and Practice for the Primary<br />
School by Paula Murphy and<br />
Margaret O’Keefe (Gill and<br />
Macmillan, <strong>2006</strong>) - launched in<br />
the <strong>College</strong> in September by<br />
Mary Hanafin TD, Minister for<br />
Education and Science.<br />
Thomas Kellaghan and Páid<br />
McGee, Your Education<br />
System: A Report on the<br />
Response to the Invitation to<br />
Participate in Creating a Shared<br />
Vision for Irish Education into the Future (ERC, <strong>2006</strong>)<br />
Gerry Shiel, Paul Surgenor, Sean Close and David Millar, The<br />
2004 National Assessment of Mathematics Achievement (ERC,<br />
<strong>2006</strong>)<br />
Counting on Success:<br />
Mathematics Achievement in<br />
Irish Primary Schools (DES,<br />
<strong>2006</strong>) – launched in October<br />
by Mary Hanafin TD,<br />
Minister for Education and<br />
Science.<br />
Millar, D., Kellaghan, T., &<br />
Mac Aogáin, E. (<strong>2006</strong>). A<br />
study of the intended and<br />
achieved weights of<br />
components in the Leaving<br />
Certificate Examination.<br />
Dublin: Educational Research Centre.<br />
Irish Educational <strong>St</strong>udies, Vol. 25, nos 1,2,3 (March, June,<br />
September <strong>2006</strong>). General editor, Ciaran Sugrue; Review<br />
Editor, Marie Flynn.<br />
Irish Journal of Education, Vol. 36 (2005) & Vol. 37 (<strong>2006</strong>).<br />
Edited by Dr Kellaghan. Vol. 36 contains articles on various<br />
aspects of PISA by Gerry Shiel, Nick Sofroniou, Judith<br />
Cosgrove, Elizabeth Oldham, Sean Close, Eemer Eivers and<br />
Declan Kennedy. Volume 37 contains articles on the points<br />
system by Eoghan MacAogáin; ICT in primary schools by<br />
Judith Cosgrove, Sarah Zastrutzki and Gerry Shiel; selection of<br />
schools for support with educational disadvantage by Susan<br />
Weir and Peter Archer; and opinions of the Irish public on the<br />
goals of primary education by Thomas Kellaghan and Michael<br />
Daly.<br />
Maureen Killeavy, Regina Murphy et al., National Pilot Project<br />
on Teacher Induction. Report on Phase 1 & 2, 2002-4 (DES,<br />
<strong>2006</strong>)<br />
James Kelly (ed.), <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s<br />
<strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra. A<br />
History (Four Courts, <strong>2006</strong>)<br />
launched in November by An<br />
Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD.<br />
Further information is published<br />
in “Highlights of the Year”.<br />
Thomas O’Connor and Mary<br />
Ann Lyons (editors), Irish<br />
Communities in Early Modern<br />
Europe (Four Courts, <strong>2006</strong>) and<br />
Irish Migrants in Europe after<br />
Kinsale, 1602-1820 (Four<br />
Courts, <strong>2006</strong>); Thomas O’Connor (ed.), The Irish in Europe,<br />
1580-1815 (Four Courts, <strong>2006</strong>) - launched by Dr Travers at<br />
the Royal Irish Academy in 29 November. Also launched was<br />
the ‘Irish Regiments in France’ database which is a product of<br />
a strategic collaboration between NUIM, TCD and the<br />
<strong>College</strong>.<br />
P. Downes, C. Maunsell &<br />
J. Ivers (<strong>2006</strong>). A holistic<br />
approach to early school<br />
leaving and school retention<br />
in Blanchardstown: Current<br />
issues and future steps for<br />
services and schools.<br />
Foreword by Senator Joe<br />
O’Toole. Commissioned<br />
Research Report for<br />
Blanchardstown Area<br />
Partnership, Dublin -<br />
launched in December in<br />
Blanchardstown<br />
Paul Downes, Quality Development of Out of School<br />
Services: An Agenda for Development (QDOSS, <strong>2006</strong>)<br />
Paul Downes & Catherine Maunsell Count Us In: Tackling<br />
Early School Leaving in South West Inner City Dublin: An<br />
Integrated Response (Commissioned Research Report for<br />
South Inner City Community Development Association).<br />
(Dublin, 20<strong>07</strong>) - launched in June at a seminar in the<br />
Guinness <strong>St</strong>orehouse.<br />
31
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
Ciarán Ó Coigligh & Eoin Mac Lochalinn Aiséirí Requiem (Cló<br />
Chaisil, <strong>2006</strong>) - Sraith de 24 dhán a chum Ciarán le gabháil<br />
in éineacht le sraith de 24 phíosa ealaíne le Eoin Mac<br />
Lochalinn. Launched in December at Kilmainham Gaol.<br />
Anne Hession & Patricia Kieran<br />
(eds) Exploring Theology:<br />
Making Sense of the Catholic<br />
Tradition (Veritas, 20<strong>07</strong>)<br />
launched at All hallows in May<br />
by Most Revd Dr Diarmaid<br />
Martin, Archbishop of Dublin.<br />
The collection provides an<br />
overview and introduction to<br />
the subject for students and non<br />
specialists. Its twenty chapters<br />
include five by <strong>College</strong> staff:<br />
Carol Barry, Niamh<br />
Middleton, Facthna McCarthy,<br />
Ray Topley and Anne Hession.<br />
Michael O’Leary, Towards a Balanced Assessment System for<br />
Irish Secondary and Primary Schools, Oideas, 52<br />
(Geimhreadh, <strong>2006</strong>)<br />
Mary Burke, Pride in our Place, 2002-<strong>2006</strong>: Final Report<br />
(CCBS, Armagh, 20<strong>07</strong>) – report and evaluation of cross border<br />
schools’ project.<br />
Paula Mayock (TCD), Karl Kitching and Mark Morgan, Report<br />
on the Implementation of RSE (Crisis Pregnancy Agency/DES,<br />
20<strong>07</strong>) - launched by the Minister for Education and Science in<br />
March. This report examines the RSE programme in the<br />
context of Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) and<br />
assesses the challenges to its full implementation in<br />
post-primary schools.<br />
Eivers, E., Shiel, G., & Cheevers, C. (<strong>2006</strong>). Implementing the<br />
Revised Junior Certificate Science Syllabus. What teachers<br />
said. Dublin: <strong>St</strong>ationery Office.<br />
Eivers, E., Shiel, G., & Cunningham, R.(20<strong>07</strong>). Ready for<br />
tomorrow’s world? The competencies of Irish 15-year-olds in<br />
PISA <strong>2006</strong>. Dublin: <strong>St</strong>ationery Office.<br />
Lewis, M., & Archer, P. (<strong>2006</strong>). Home-School-Community-<br />
Liaison in Early <strong>St</strong>art schools. Report to the Department of<br />
Education and Science. Dublin: Educational Research Centre.<br />
Mac Aogáin, E. (20<strong>07</strong>). Analysis of school attendance data in<br />
primary and post-primary schools, 2003/4 to 2005/6. Report<br />
to the National Educational Welfare Board. Dublin:<br />
Educational Research Centre.<br />
Shiel, G., & O’Flaherty, A. (<strong>2006</strong>). NCTE 2005 Census on ICT<br />
infrastructure in schools. <strong>St</strong>atistical report. Report prepared for<br />
the National Centre for Technology in Education. Dublin:<br />
Educational Research Centre.<br />
Shiel, G., Perkins, R., Close, S., & Oldham, E. (20<strong>07</strong>). PISA<br />
mathematics: A teacher’s guide. Dublin: Department of<br />
Education and Science.<br />
Surgenor, P., Oldham, E., Close, S., Shiel, G., Dooley, T., &<br />
O’Leary, M. (20<strong>07</strong>). Pressing the right buttons. Calculator use<br />
in schools and in Junior Cycle Mathematics. Dublin: <strong>St</strong><br />
Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Trinity <strong>College</strong>, Educational Research<br />
Centre.<br />
Mary Shine Thompson and<br />
Valerie Coghlan (eds): Divided<br />
Worlds: <strong>St</strong>udies in Children’s<br />
Literature (Four Courts, Dublin<br />
20<strong>07</strong>) – this third publication of<br />
the Irish Society for the <strong>St</strong>udy of<br />
Children’s Literature contains<br />
inter alia articles by five<br />
members of staff and several<br />
graduates of the <strong>College</strong>.<br />
Eureka is a weekly primary<br />
science supplement which is<br />
published by the Irish<br />
Independent and written and<br />
researched by Paula Kilfeather,<br />
Cliona Murphy and Janet Varley. Each week Eureka focuses on<br />
one everyday topic and helps pupils to understand the<br />
relevant science through activities, articles, puzzles and<br />
quizzes. Forty four issues have been published since<br />
September 2005. Eureka is distributed throughout the country<br />
and currently has 20,000 readers. The magazine is published<br />
in both English and Irish.<br />
Dwyer, B., & Shiel, G. (Eds.). (20<strong>07</strong>). Literacy at the<br />
crossroads: Moving forward, looking back. Dublin: Reading<br />
Association of Ireland.<br />
32
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
Financial Report /<br />
Tuarascáil Airgeadais<br />
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT<br />
Year Ended 30 September 20<strong>07</strong><br />
Income <strong>2006</strong>* 20<strong>07</strong>**<br />
€<br />
<strong>St</strong>ate Grants<br />
<strong>St</strong>udent Fees<br />
Research income<br />
Higher Education Authority<br />
Other<br />
Other income<br />
11,401,546<br />
8,713,296<br />
1,392,272<br />
351,247<br />
2,527,326<br />
12,067,831<br />
9,373,447<br />
1,312,400<br />
1,<strong>07</strong>2,231<br />
2,915,245<br />
Total Income<br />
24,385,687<br />
26,741,154<br />
Expenditure<br />
Operating expenditure<br />
Research grants and contracts<br />
Funded by HEA<br />
Project Funded<br />
Total<br />
22,210,664<br />
1,564,369<br />
264,382<br />
24,039,415<br />
24,459,388<br />
1,629,411<br />
388,845<br />
26,477,644<br />
Surplus for the Year<br />
829,305<br />
(464,034)<br />
Accumulated surplus on income and expenditure account<br />
<strong>2006</strong> 20<strong>07</strong><br />
Opening accumulated surplus<br />
Surplus for Year<br />
At 30 September<br />
950,772<br />
829,305<br />
1,780,<strong>07</strong>7<br />
1,780,<strong>07</strong>7<br />
(464,034)<br />
1,316,043<br />
* Amended as per final audit<br />
** Subject to audit<br />
33
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong> in the Past /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig in Anallód<br />
James Sadler<br />
On 1 October 1812, James Sadler ascended from the lawns of<br />
Belvedere House in an attempt to cross the Irish Sea in a hot air<br />
balloon. The historic event and some of the excitement which it<br />
generated in Drumcondra was recorded in an account published<br />
for the benefit of the distinguished aeronaut, who it would<br />
appear had fallen on hard times. The launch was attended by the<br />
Duke and Duchess of Richmond and other guests of Mr<br />
Beresford, the owner of Belvedere House. A number of<br />
marquees were erected in the grounds and two military bands<br />
entertained the large crowds. A detachment of military were at<br />
hand lest the excitement spill into disorder.<br />
Sadler’s balloon was fifty five feet in diameter and carried eleven cwt for ballast. His voyage<br />
which had previously been postponed due to bad weather began well but was then dogged by<br />
misfortune and misjudgement. Sadler quickly reached the Isle of Man and then, catching a<br />
north-easterly drifted towards Holyhead. Intent on landing in Liverpool, he spurned the<br />
opportunity to land in Anglesea. He descended to catch a south-westerly current but was<br />
blown off course, eventually ditching in the sea where he was rescued from drowning by a<br />
passing ship.<br />
James Sadler’s son, Windham, later emulated his father,<br />
completing a crossing of the Irish Sea, In July 1817, he took off from<br />
Portobello Barracks and landed in Angelsey.<br />
34
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
The first manned balloon flight took place in France in 1783. In the following year, James Sadler became the first English aeronaut<br />
when he ascended into the atmosphere from Christchurch Meadow, in Oxford, an event marked by a plaque on the wall of Merton<br />
<strong>College</strong>. In the years that followed, he made numerous ascents, twice ending in near disaster at sea, in the Bristol Channel and, as<br />
we have seen, in the Irish Sea. He died peacefully in bed, at the age of seventy five and is buried in <strong>St</strong> Edmund Hall, Oxford. His<br />
son Windham was less fortunate, dying in a ballooning accident in 1824.<br />
35
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
Awards/Scholarships/Honours /<br />
Gradam/Scoláireachtaí/Onóracha<br />
STUDENTS<br />
Undergraduate <strong>College</strong> Prizes – Graduation <strong>2006</strong><br />
Vere Foster / INTO<br />
Vincent de Paul Medal<br />
Fred Klotz Memorial Award<br />
Carlisle and Blake<br />
O’Donoghue Medal for History<br />
John Killeen Medal for English<br />
Bonn Mháirtín Uí Chadhain<br />
French Embassy Medal<br />
Seán Hayes Award for Music<br />
Michelle Whelan, BEd<br />
Fiona Sherlock, BEd<br />
Carol Costello, BEd<br />
David Dempsey, BEd<br />
Michelle Whelan, BEd<br />
Shane Guckian, BA<br />
Maria Dunne, BA<br />
Eimear Ní Bhradáin, BOid<br />
Karen Ní Choistealbha, BOid<br />
Orla Pender, BEd<br />
David Callaghan, BEd<br />
Claire Quinn, BEd<br />
Postgraduate scholarships<br />
MEd:<br />
MA<br />
Sinéad Sharkey<br />
Pat Furlong<br />
Niamh Williams<br />
STAFF<br />
<strong>College</strong> Research/Professional Development Fellowships<br />
Research:<br />
Joe Dunne, Human Development – 1 year<br />
Ciarán Mac Murchaidh, Roinn na Gaeilge – 1 semester<br />
Ruth McManus, Geography Department – 1 semester<br />
Professional Development:<br />
Maura O’Connor, Early Childhood Education - 1 semester<br />
Joe Travers, Special Education Department – 1 semester<br />
Teaching and Learning<br />
Funding for professional development was granted to:<br />
Bernie Collins<br />
Philomena Donnelly<br />
Patricia Flynn<br />
Paula Murphy<br />
IRCHSS Fellowship:<br />
Senior Research:<br />
Diarmaid Ferriter, History Department<br />
36
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
Appendices / Aguisíní<br />
APPENDIX 1: TABLE OF STUDENT ENROLMENT <strong>2006</strong>/<strong>07</strong><br />
Course Year Total Female Male<br />
Bachelor of Arts 1 193 141 52<br />
Bachelor of Arts 2 177 151 26<br />
Bachelor of Arts 3 178 139 39<br />
Bachelor of Education 1 403 355 48<br />
Bachelor of Education 2 412 348 64<br />
Bachelor of Education 3 387 351 36<br />
Certificate in Religious <strong>St</strong>udies (part-time) 2 33 28 5<br />
Doctorate in Education (EdD) 3 18 13 5<br />
Graduate Cert. in Education of Pupils with ASD 1 12 12 --<br />
Graduate Cert. in Education of Pupils with ASD 2 1 1 --<br />
Graduate Dip. in Special Education 1 61 55 6<br />
IES Foreign <strong>St</strong>udent (part-time) 1 139 105 34<br />
Certificate in Education (In service) 1 4 4 --<br />
Master of Arts Taught 1 1 -- 1<br />
Master of Arts Taught 2 69 52 17<br />
Master of Arts Thesis/Research 1 3 3 --<br />
Master of Arts Thesis/Research 2 5 4 1<br />
Master of Arts Thesis/Research 3 4 1 3<br />
Master of Religious Education 1 6 4 2<br />
Master of Religious Education 2 3 2 1<br />
Master of Education by Research 1 3 3 --<br />
Master of Education 1 35 31 4<br />
Master of Education 2 45 35 10<br />
Master of Education 3 1 1 --<br />
Masters in Special Education 1 12 7 5<br />
Masters in Special Education 2 1 1 --<br />
PhD 1 3 1 2<br />
PhD 2 10 6 4<br />
Post Doctoral Fellowship 1 2 2 --<br />
Grad. Dip. in Education (Primary) 1 102 80 22<br />
Grad. Dip. in Education (Primary) 2 103 88 15<br />
Total 2,439 2,035 404<br />
APPENDIX 2: FINAL EXAMINATION STATISTICS <strong>2006</strong>/<strong>07</strong><br />
Course H1 H2 H 2.1 H 2.2 Pass Credit Distinct Merit Total<br />
BEd 23 - 166 170 16 - - - 375<br />
BA 12 - 52 73 36 - - - 173<br />
Grad.Dip.Ed (Primary) 10 - 38 50 2 - - - 100<br />
Grad.Dip.Special Ed - - - - 3 - 14 40 57<br />
Grad. Cert. in Ed. of Pupils with ASD - - - - 1 - 4 8 13<br />
Masters in Special Ed. Needs 6 6 - - - - - - 12<br />
MEd 5 24 - - 6 - - - 35<br />
Cert. in Education - - - - - 3 - - 3<br />
Dip. in Education - - - - - 3 2 - 5<br />
MA 18 - - 35 5 - - - 58<br />
MA Research - - - - - - - - 3*<br />
PhD - - - - - - - - 5*<br />
Cert. in Religious <strong>St</strong>udies (BEd) - - - - 120 234 8 - 362<br />
Cert. in Religious <strong>St</strong>udies (Grad) - - - - 57 39 3 - 99<br />
Cert. in Religious <strong>St</strong>udies (part-time) - - - - 2 23 2 - 27<br />
* ungraded award<br />
37
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
APPENDIX 3: GRADUATION – NOVEMBER <strong>2006</strong><br />
Course<br />
No. Graduated<br />
Bachelor of Arts 163<br />
Bachelor of Education 399<br />
Certificate in Religious <strong>St</strong>udies 391<br />
Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary Teaching) 96<br />
Graduate Diploma in Education (Cert in Religion) 94<br />
Graduate Diploma in Special Education 30<br />
Graduate Diploma in Learning Support 22<br />
Grad Cert in Education of Pupils with ASD 17<br />
Graduate Diploma in Advanced Educational <strong>St</strong>udies 2<br />
Masters in Special Education Needs 12<br />
Certificate in Education 7<br />
Diploma in Education 31<br />
Master of Arts 4<br />
Master of Arts (Research) 2<br />
Master of Education 22<br />
Master of Education (Research) 2<br />
Masters in Religious Education (Primary) * 3<br />
PhD 2<br />
Certificate in Religious <strong>St</strong>udies (part-time) 16<br />
* Conferred in Mater Dei <strong>College</strong><br />
APPENDIX 4: ANALYSIS OF <strong>2006</strong> GRADUATES<br />
4.1 FIRST DESTINATION OF <strong>2006</strong> GRADUATES<br />
BEd<br />
Total Graduates 399; total responses 358<br />
First Destination Number %<br />
Permanent Teaching Ireland (primary) 143 39.9<br />
Temporary Teaching Irlelab (primary) 204 56.9<br />
Teaching Overseas 3 0.8<br />
Other work Ireland 2 0.6<br />
Other work overseas 1 0.3<br />
Further <strong>St</strong>udy 3 0.8<br />
Not available for work/study 2 0.6<br />
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Primary Teaching)<br />
Total Graduates 96; total responses 95<br />
First Destination Number %<br />
Permanent Teaching Ireland (primary) 34 36<br />
Temporary Teaching Ireland (primary) 59 62<br />
Not available for work/study 2 2<br />
BA<br />
Total graduates 163; total responses 135<br />
First Destination Number %<br />
Further <strong>St</strong>udy 12 8.9<br />
Teacher Training 28 20.7<br />
Teacher Training OS 33 24.4<br />
Gained employment Irl FT 39 28.9<br />
Gained employment Irl PT 15 11.1<br />
Taking a year out /Employed Irl 2 1.5<br />
Taking a year out/employed OS 1 0.7<br />
Not available for work/study 2 1.5<br />
Seeking employment 3 2.2<br />
38
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
4.2 FURTHER STUDY BA GRADUATES<br />
Courses Number %<br />
H.Dip.Ed. 7 9.6<br />
Postgrad.Dip.Ed.,SPD 10 13.7<br />
Postgrad Dip.Ed.Marino 2 2.7<br />
PGCE primary OS 32 43.8<br />
PGCE second-level OS 1 1.4<br />
Hibernia PG 3 4.1<br />
Grad.Dip. Adult Ed. 4 5.5<br />
M.Phil. History of Irish Art 1 1.4<br />
Dip. Montessori/B.Ed. 2 2.7<br />
MA History 1 1.4<br />
M.Phil. Popular Literature 1 1.4<br />
M.R. Urban Planning 1 1.4<br />
M.Sc.Equality <strong>St</strong>udies 1 1.4<br />
MA Library <strong>St</strong>udies 1 1.4<br />
MA Film <strong>St</strong>udies 1 1.4<br />
Postgrad. Dip. Psychology 1 1.4<br />
M.Phil/Grad.Dip. Ecumenics 2 2.7<br />
M.Phil. Peace <strong>St</strong>udies 1 1.4<br />
MA American <strong>St</strong>udies 1 1.4<br />
4.3 MATURE GRADUATES <strong>2006</strong><br />
BEd<br />
Total mature graduates 30; total responses 22<br />
First Destination Number %<br />
Permanent Teaching Irl 10 45.4<br />
(primary)<br />
Temporary Teaching Irl 12 54.5<br />
(primary)<br />
BA<br />
Total mature graduates 42; total responses 34<br />
Destination Number %<br />
Further <strong>St</strong>udy Ireland 10 29.4<br />
Teacher Training Ireland 7 20.6<br />
Teacher Training (primary) OS 2 5.9<br />
Not available for work study 1 2.9<br />
Gained Employment Irl FT 5 14.7<br />
Gained employment Irl PT 5 14.7<br />
Employed taking a year out Irl 1 2.9<br />
Seeking employment 3 8.8<br />
Employment Sector Entered by BA Graduates<br />
Sector Number %<br />
Education Primary 16 28.1<br />
Financial Services 10 17.5<br />
Retail 7 12.2<br />
Catering 5 8.8<br />
Transport/Tourism 2 3.5<br />
Garda 3 5.3<br />
Education Secondary 3 5.3<br />
Social Work/Child Care 3 5.3<br />
Clerical 1 1.8<br />
Library/Info 2 3.5<br />
Accounts/Professional services 1 1.8<br />
HSE 1 1.8<br />
HR 1 1.8<br />
Higher Education 1 1.8<br />
Executive Administration 1 1.8<br />
Further <strong>St</strong>udy Mature BA Graduates<br />
Total responses 19<br />
Courses Number %<br />
H.Dip.Ed. 4 21.1<br />
PGCE primary OS 2 10.5<br />
MA History 1 5.3<br />
M.Phil. Popular Literature 1 5.3<br />
MA Film <strong>St</strong>udies 1 5.3<br />
Dip. Psych. 1 5.3<br />
M.Phil/Grad.Dip. Ecumenics 2 10.5<br />
MA International Peace <strong>St</strong>udies 1 5.3<br />
M.Phil. History of Irish Art 1 5.3<br />
M.Sc. Equality <strong>St</strong>udies 1 5.3<br />
MA Library <strong>St</strong>udies 1 5.3<br />
Dip. Adult Ed. 3 15.8<br />
Exam results<br />
BA and BEd Mature graduates<br />
Result<br />
Number<br />
H1 8<br />
H2.1 38<br />
H2.2 23<br />
Pass 3<br />
Total 72<br />
39
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
APPENDIX 5 : STAFFING<br />
5.1 STAFF LEVELS AT 1 APRIL 20<strong>07</strong><br />
Catergory No. Category No.<br />
President 1 Assistant Principal Officer 2<br />
Bursar 1 Higher Executive Officer 3<br />
Registrar 1 Executive Officer 13.5<br />
Head of Education 1 Clerical Officer 19.5<br />
Assistant Registrar 1 Buildings Manager 1<br />
Principal Lecturers 6 Senior Technician 2<br />
Senior Lecturer 9 11* Junior Technician 2<br />
Senior Lecturer 7 5 IT Support <strong>St</strong>aff 2<br />
Lecturer 71 Careers/Counselling 2<br />
Assistant Lecturer 1 Chaplain 1<br />
Contract Lecturer/Assistant Lecturer 6 Senior Tutor/Access Officer 1.5<br />
Seconded Academic 11 Porters 3<br />
TOTAL ACADEMIC 116 Maintenance 1<br />
Librarian 1 Housekeeping Supervisor 1<br />
Assistant Librarian 2.5 Cleaners 7**<br />
Senior Library Assistant 1 TOTAL CENTRAL SUPPORT STAFF 76<br />
Library Assistant 10<br />
Total 192<br />
*Includes one vacant SL9 position<br />
**1 full-time, 6 part-time<br />
5.2 CENTRAL SUPPORT STAFF APPOINTMENTS <strong>2006</strong>/<strong>07</strong><br />
Name<br />
James Burke<br />
Evelyn Cuddy<br />
Donna Orr<br />
Margaret Brierty<br />
Position<br />
Porter (contract)<br />
Higher Executive Officer (Humanities)<br />
Contract Clerical Officer (Secretary Bursar’s Office)<br />
Contract Clerical Officer (Admissions)<br />
5.3 ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS <strong>2006</strong>/<strong>07</strong><br />
Name<br />
Dr James Kelly<br />
Dr Joseph Dunne<br />
Dr Máirin Nic Eoin<br />
Dr Jean Ware<br />
Dr Ciaran Sugrue<br />
Dr Mary Shine Thompson<br />
Dr Peter Martin<br />
Tara Concannon<br />
Joan Keating<br />
Jane Carrigan<br />
Ailbhe Kenny<br />
Temporary Academic Appointments<br />
Olivia Bree<br />
Denis Twomey<br />
Breandán Ó Conaire<br />
Department<br />
Principal Lecturer (Humanities)<br />
Principal Lecturer (Education)<br />
Principal Lecturer (Humanities)<br />
Principal Lecturer/Dean with <strong>College</strong>-wide responsibility for Teaching and Learning<br />
Principal Lecturer/Director of Graduate research, Education<br />
Principal Lecturer/Dean of Humanities, with <strong>College</strong>-wide responsibility for Research<br />
Assistant Lecturer in History<br />
Secondment in Education<br />
Secondment in Education (Pilot Project on Induction)<br />
Researcher/PhD Fellow (Educational Disadvantage)<br />
Research Fellow (Music Department)<br />
Acting Registrar<br />
Acting Assistant Registrar<br />
Ceann Roinn na Gaeilge (Acting)<br />
40
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
5.4 RETIREMENTS<br />
The following Central Support staff retired during the year <strong>2006</strong>/<strong>07</strong>:<br />
John Hogan, General Operative, Maintenance <strong>St</strong>aff<br />
The following members of the Academic staff retired on 31st<br />
August 20<strong>07</strong>:<br />
Ms Gay Barry, Head of French Department<br />
Dr Seán Close, Curriculum Mathematics, Education Department<br />
Dr John Cosgrave, Head of Mathematics Department<br />
Ms Patricia Lynch, Special Education Department<br />
An Dr Breandán Ó Conaire, Roinn na Gaeilge<br />
Their retirements were marked by a function in the <strong>College</strong> in<br />
their honour.<br />
Dr Liam Mac Mathúna resigned as Registrar of the <strong>College</strong> on 30<br />
September to take up a professorial position in UCD. Dr Alan<br />
Titley resigned as Ceann Roinn na Gaeilge on 31st October, also<br />
to take up a professorial position, in UCC. Their contribution to<br />
the <strong>College</strong> was marked by a function in their honour on 20<br />
October <strong>2006</strong>.<br />
Martin Ward presenting a retirement gift to John Hogan<br />
Liosta na marbh<br />
Dr Michael Dillon, former Head of the Geography<br />
Department passed away on 15 March. A native of<br />
Coalisland, Michael taught in Belfast for a short time after<br />
graduating from Queen’s before joining the staff of the <strong>College</strong> in<br />
1963. He retired in 2004 but continued to teach part-time until<br />
shortly before his untimely death. A month’s mind mass was held<br />
in the <strong>College</strong> on 17 April, attended by members of Michael’s<br />
family, his friends, neighbours, colleagues, students and former<br />
students. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.<br />
Patrick Greene, well-known Co Longford teacher and folklorist,<br />
and graduate of the <strong>College</strong>, passed away at his home on 22<br />
February 20<strong>07</strong>, at the age of 106. Mr Greene was a student in the<br />
<strong>College</strong> in 1918-1920. He wrote about his experiences as a<br />
student and as a teacher in his publication In shades like these:<br />
Irish Teacher Life-Histories from the Twentieth Century compiled<br />
and edited by Joe Conway (Comhar Linn, 2000). An extract from<br />
this is published in the <strong>College</strong> Annual Report 2000-2001. Mr<br />
Greene was present in the <strong>College</strong> in July 1999 at a ceremony to<br />
mark the departure of the Vincentian Community from the<br />
<strong>College</strong>.<br />
Liam Mac Mathúna, Breandán Ó Conaire, Alan Titley and<br />
Pauric Travers<br />
41
Annual Report / Tuarascáil Bhliantúil<br />
<strong>2006</strong> / 20<strong>07</strong><br />
5.5 GROWTH IN STAFF AND STUDENT NUMBERS 1997-20<strong>07</strong><br />
42
<strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra /<br />
Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach<br />
APPENDIX 6 –<br />
SPEECH BY AN TAOISEACH AT LAUNCH OF COLLEGE HISTORY<br />
Thug Coláiste Naomh Pádraig faoi na dúshláin agus na deiseanna a tugadh dó le meon dearfach ón gcéad lá a osclaíodh é in ocht<br />
déag seachtó a cúig. Bhí baint aige le bunoideachas go príomha ach is léir anois go bhfuil raon fairsing de chúrsaí oideachais<br />
nua-aoiseacha den chéad scoth á gcur ar fáil aige. Dá bharr sin, tá áit lárnach tuillte ag Coláiste Naomh Pádraig i stair shóisialta na<br />
hÉireann. Is onóir dom mar sin a bheith i gcroílár mo dháilcheantar féin chun an leabhar tábhachtach seo a sheoladh.<br />
It is a great pleasure for me to be here in <strong>St</strong>. Patrick’s to officially launch <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra, A History. As a Northside<br />
institution I know that <strong>St</strong> <strong>Patrick's</strong> has always been proud of its location here in the heart of Drumcondra. I am glad that today<br />
provides another happy occasion for me to pay you all a visit.<br />
My own school days started not a million miles away as a pupil of <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s National School. I have fond memories of my time<br />
there and the great teachers that gave me a firm foundation in my education.<br />
As one of the oldest third-level institutions in this country, the history of <strong>St</strong>. Patrick’s <strong>College</strong> in Drumcondra is tightly linked with<br />
the history of education itself in this country.<br />
When <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s opened its doors in 1875 it did so amidst an ongoing debate about teacher-training and the system of national<br />
schools. Under the management of the Vincentians, and the principal Fr. Pat Byrne, the college soon became established as a<br />
teacher training college so that by 1908 almost two thirds of trained male catholic school teachers in Ireland were trained here.<br />
Over the course of time, the fortunes of the college have seen some fluctuation. I know that when the college was forced to close<br />
temporarily in 1944 its future might have seemed uncertain. But happily, from 1945 onwards, <strong>St</strong> Pat’s embarked on a period of<br />
rapid and sustained expansion.<br />
Between the 1950s and early 1970s, under the stewardship of Fr. Donal Cregan, the college again underwent a significant<br />
transition. In particular, the opening of a new Educational Research Centre in 1966 marked the transformation from a traditional<br />
teacher training college to the forward-looking institution that it is today.<br />
The mid-1970’s marked another important turning point for the <strong>College</strong> with the introduction of the Bachelor of Education Degree<br />
and the college’s recognition by the NUI. Having survived the severe budgetary climate of the 1980’s, <strong>St</strong> Pat’s continued with its<br />
development in the 1990’s.<br />
The institutional relationship with <strong>DCU</strong> which was inaugurated in 1993 has proved to be a fruitful one and academic development<br />
has gone from strength to strength. I know that particular achievements have been the introduction of a Masters in Education in<br />
1995 and the taught doctoral programme that was introduced in 2005. In particular, I think it is fair to say that the contribution<br />
made by this college to the development of Special Education in this country has been a really significant one.<br />
Whatever each different era brought to <strong>St</strong>. Patrick’s the one constant thread that has run through its history has been its faithful<br />
endeavour to serve the nation as an educational institution. And from its earliest days, the college played a key role in setting high<br />
standards and progressing the cause of education in this land.<br />
This history of <strong>St</strong>. Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra which we are launching today, faithfully and rigorously records the ups and downs<br />
of the development of this institution. In doing so, it explores the history of education itself in Ireland since the late nineteenth<br />
century. As such, James Kelly, the Editor has ensured its appeal will not be limited to those who have a personal connection with <strong>St</strong>.<br />
Patrick’s.<br />
As a modern institution, <strong>St</strong>. Patrick’s is a real part of the community in which it is located. As a resident of Drumcondra, I was<br />
particularly interested to see the two chapters in this book that set out the history of Belvedere House, the base for <strong>St</strong>. Pat’s since<br />
1883, and the history of Drumcondra itself. Given my particular fondness for this area, it came as no surprise to learn that from its<br />
Gaelic Roots, the name Drom Condraighe refers to a ‘charming hill’ north of the River Tolka.<br />
Of course, in the past, <strong>St</strong>. Patrick’s was not always as outward looking as it is today. The enclosed nature of the college into the<br />
1950s obviously caused discontent with at least one former pupil here - the writer, John McGahern. He recalled that: “ We were<br />
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allowed outside the walls on the afternoons of Wednesdays and Saturdays, but we had to return for meals and Evening Devotions<br />
and be back within the walls before the gates closed at ten.”<br />
Happily, the students at <strong>St</strong>. Patrick’s today would not relate to this description, not least because the college is now largely<br />
non-residential. Of course, one of the major changes since those earlier days was the first admission of female students in 1971. In<br />
1999 <strong>St</strong>. Pat’s also saw the end of one era and the beginning of another with the departure of the Vincentians, who had made such a<br />
contribution to the college over the course of a century, and the appointment of Pauric Travers as the first lay President.<br />
At this point in its history, the college is again facing into a period of considerable change. Recent major reports point to the need to<br />
radically re-think initial teacher education to prepare teachers for the significant challenges of educating pupils in the 21st century.<br />
I know that the review work has already started and I am confident that this college will play a key role in the process. Major<br />
challenges arise from the range of changes we are seeing in legislation, curricula, inclusiveness and cultural diversity. In addition,<br />
we must take care to ensure that a modern teaching career is characterised by a commitment to life-long learning and continual<br />
personal and professional development.<br />
It is also vital that the state is able to continue to attract, develop and retain talented and highly motivated people in the primary<br />
teaching profession. This is essential if we are to educate for participation in the global knowledge-based society.<br />
As well as its major contribution in the field of teacher training, it is important to acknowledge <strong>St</strong> Patrick’ contribution to<br />
research - it has the biggest Faculty of Education on this island, including the Special Education Department. The college is also<br />
renowned for its continuing role in promoting and teaching the Irish language.<br />
I know that <strong>St</strong>. Patrick’s is all too well aware of the competitive environment in which it is operating as a Third Level Institution and<br />
the need for innovation in moving forward. The Government, for its part, is fully committed to promoting a culture of innovation<br />
and strategic development in the Third Level Sector through measures such as the <strong>St</strong>rategic Innovation Fund and the Programme for<br />
Research in Third Level Institutions.<br />
In preparing this campus to meet the many challenges of the future, I was delighted to be of assistance in securing funding of some<br />
€38million from the Minister for Education and Science for development work. I understand that a Design Team will shortly be<br />
appointed for this project which will make a huge difference to the teaching, library and office facilities here. I wish you all the best<br />
with this major undertaking which continues a long tradition of state investment in <strong>St</strong>. Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>.<br />
The publication of <strong>St</strong>. Patrick’s <strong>College</strong>, Drumcondra, A History is a fitting tribute to this fine college as well as representing a major<br />
contribution to the study of the Irish history of education in its own right.<br />
James Kelly, editor and contributor, is to be congratulated on this fine volume. James, I know that you are deeply indebted to the<br />
high standard of material submitted by each of the other contributors to this history: Ruth McManus, Joseph Doyle, Carla King,<br />
Diarmaid Ferriter, John Walsh, Eoghan Ó Súilleabháin and Ciaran Sugrue. The strong fellowship that exists in <strong>St</strong> Patrick’s is evident<br />
in the fact that academic staff, past and present, and former students feature strongly amonst these contributors. Special mention<br />
must also go to Four Courts Press who have done such a great job on publishing this volume.<br />
It only remains for me to thank you for your kind invitation here today and to wish you continued success.<br />
Go raibh maith agaibh<br />
An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern<br />
November <strong>2006</strong><br />
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COLÁISTE PHÁDRAIG<br />
Droim Conrach<br />
Baile Átha Cliath 9<br />
Éire<br />
(Coláiste de chuid Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath)<br />
Fón: 353-1-8842000<br />
Feacs: 353-1-8376197<br />
ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE<br />
Drumcondra<br />
Dublin 9<br />
Ireland<br />
(A <strong>College</strong> of Dublin City University)<br />
Phone: 353-1-8842000<br />
Fax: 353-1-8376197